Surf Forecasts:
56th St surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, SSW swell with 613 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for 56th St this week:
The surf forecast for 56th St over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at 56th St in the next 16 days are 1.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 56th St over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me break it down for you in feet and degrees. This spot, 56th St, is looking real quiet. The water’s sitting at about 70°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year – feels nice, but the waves aren’t matching the mood.
We start off Thursday the 20th with nothing doing. A 0.7m (that’s about 2ft) SSW swell rolls in, but the combined wave energy is weak at 266, and the wind is onshore. It’s just poor. Friday and Saturday are the same story: tiny 0.4m to 0.5m (1ft to 2ft) waves with cross-onshore breezes. Not worth waxing up.
Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th? The period jumps up to 18-19 seconds – long-period groundswell – but the height is still under 2ft. That kind of swell at a beach break like this just makes for weak, hard-to-read waves, and the wind stays cross-onshore. Energy numbers are still in the 200s. No go.
We’ve got a long gap of flatness until Wednesday the 26th. That morning, a pulse of 1.2m (about 4ft) S swell with a 13 second period pushes in, and the combined energy hits 718 (moderate). That’s the biggest we see. Wind is light and onshore, but the report says it’s marginal. Could be rideable for an intermediate if you’re keen.
Thursday the 27th keeps it in the 1.0m to 1.3m (3ft to 4ft) range, from the S-SSW, and the wind goes offshore in the morning. That might clean it up, but it’s still only a marginal call. Not a standout.
Friday the 28th drops back to 0.7m (2ft) and the wind turns cross-onshore again. The weekend of the 29th and 30th shows a little 1.0m (3ft) SSW swell with morning offshore wind, but the energy is moderate and the quality is poor to marginal. By the start of September, it’s back down to 0.4m – 0.5m (1ft to 2ft) and gone.
The only window that looks remotely interesting is Wednesday the 26th into Thursday the 27th. That’s where you get the most size, around 4ft, with some offshore wind potential. The combined energy hits 718, the best we get. But it’s still just marginal. No big standouts here. If you’re really itching, that’s your shot.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 22°C on Thu afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
183 | 175 | 101 | 99 | 99 | 63 | 121 | 165 | 127 | 112 | 213 | 154 | 142 | 224 | 216 | 222 | 256 | 485 | 461 | 613 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:46PM1.38m | 8:37AM0.99m | 5:09PM1.41m | 8:34AM1.06m | 6:13PM1.49m | 8:46AM1.11m | 7:00PM1.58m | 9:00AM1.16m | 7:38PM1.67m | 9:16AM1.21m | 8:12PM1.74m | 9:34AM1.27m | 8:45PM1.77m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:27AM0.28m | 10:23AM0.99m | 1:20AM0.17m | 12:15PM0.95m | 1:59AM0.08m | 1:06PM0.87m | 2:29AM0.00m | 1:42PM0.77m | 2:57AM-0.05m | 2:15PM0.67m | 3:22AM-0.08m | 2:47PM0.58m | 3:45AM-0.08m | |||||||
— | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 26 |
Feels °C | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | S 14 | SW 17 | W 6 | W 6 | S 13 | W 7 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 14 |
183 | 175 | 101 | 99 | 99 | 19 | 121 | 165 | 26 | 98 | 213 | 150 | 142 | 63 | 53 | 222 | 181 | 485 | 461 | 613 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | W 5 | W 6 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 13 | W 7 | W 14 | W 7 |
16 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 63 | 16 | 15 | 99 | 112 | 21 | 25 | 50 | 224 | 216 | 127 | 256 | 96 | 37 | 73 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | S 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | W 18 | S 16 | SW 16 | SW 21 | W 13 |
14 | 8 | 81 | 49 | 51 | 50 | 27 | 58 | 127 | 50 | 155 | 154 | 66 | 89 | 128 | 24 | 239 | 159 | 17 | 31 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 7 | — | — | W 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | 24 | — | — | 71 | — | — | 70 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 46 | 87 | 15 | 42 | 87 | 0 | 110 | 30 | 0 | 125 | 125 | 0 | 110 | 125 | 3 | 120 | 125 | 8 | 46 | 110 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the 56th St Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for 56th St provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at 56th St can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our 56th St surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (56th St) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for 56th St may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
56th St is 2 km (1 miles) from the city of Newport Beach. If you plan a vacation in Orange County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Newport Beach. Newport Beach has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











