Surf Forecasts:
56th St surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 14 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 15s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 629 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 14 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 15s period with SW 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. 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 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) 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+) | 5AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 56th St over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be real about this stretch of coast. The news isn't great for the next two weeks or so. We're looking at a long, quiet spell with very little to get excited about.
The only break in the guidance is 56th St, a sheltered spot that's very consistent. But even that consistency isn't doing us any favours. The water temperature is sitting at 72°, which is a solid 5° warmer than usual for this time of year – that's a notable anomaly, you'll feel it when you get in.
Starting off Wednesday morning, August 12th, we've got tiny 2 ft SW swell with a long 17-second period. The combined energy is weak at 198. The wind is a light cross-onshore, so it's messy. This pattern of poor conditions, with small, weak swells and cross-onshore winds, just repeats day after day. From Wednesday through to Saturday, August 15th, we see swell heights barely creeping up to 3 ft, with periods dropping to 16 seconds and energy staying moderate at best, hitting 563 on the Saturday afternoon. Still, the wind is never favourable, keeping the surface choppy and grotty.
Sunday, August 16th, we get a slight glimmer, but it's a "marginal" call at best. The swell is 3 ft from the SSW, but the wind is still a problem. The whole of the following week, from Monday the 17th right through to Tuesday the 26th of August, is just a total write-off. Swell stays below 3 ft, mostly in the 1 ft to 2 ft range, with weak to moderate energy (mostly between 136 and 377). The wind is almost always a messy cross-onshore, and the water is just a bit warmer than usual.
There is a tiny flicker of hope right at the very end of the period. Thursday, August 27th, the morning shows a 3 ft S swell with a 14-second period and a solid energy reading of 628. The wind is light and onshore, but it's still only a "marginal" rating. The afternoon brings rain showers and a 3 ft S swell, but the wind picks up. It's not enough to call a standout.
Honestly, for the whole 16-day window, the conditions are pretty grim. The swell is small, the wind is nearly always onshore or cross, and the quality is poor. If you're absolutely desperate and the tide is right, maybe you could get a grovelly one on the 27th morning, but don't hold your breath. This is a stretch where the forecast can change, but right now, it's a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
143 | 208 | 206 | 201 | 248 | 242 | 197 | 280 | 629 | 302 | 532 | 519 | 425 | 334 | 330 | 268 | 264 | 261 | 203 | 181 | 242 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:11AM1.38m | 9:28PM2.02m | 10:43AM1.45m | 10:13PM1.91m | 11:16AM1.50m | 10:56PM1.72m | 11:49AM1.53m | 11:41PM1.49m | 12:23PM1.54m | 00:30AM1.25m | 12:58PM1.51m | 1:32AM1.02m | 1:38PM1.46m | 3:19AM0.85m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:29PM0.44m | 4:31AM-0.32m | 4:16PM0.37m | 5:05AM-0.19m | 5:04PM0.34m | 5:36AM-0.02m | 5:54PM0.34m | 6:05AM0.18m | 6:49PM0.37m | 6:32AM0.39m | 7:53PM0.41m | 6:55AM0.59m | 9:18PM0.42m | ||||||||
6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
— | 7:40 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 15 |
143 | 208 | 206 | 201 | 248 | 242 | 171 | 280 | 629 | 302 | 532 | 519 | 425 | 334 | 330 | 268 | 264 | 63 | 37 | 37 | 242 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | S 12 | SSW 19 | SW 14 | S 12 | SW 14 | S 11 | W 6 | W 5 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 6 |
27 | 51 | 47 | 63 | 43 | 42 | 197 | 169 | 41 | 151 | 21 | 29 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 32 | 261 | 203 | 181 | 37 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 22 | SSW 20 | S 10 | S 11 | W 11 | W 5 | W 11 | S 11 | S 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 9 |
27 | 33 | 22 | 23 | 45 | 151 | 35 | 61 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 20 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 67 | 66 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | W 4 | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — |
1 | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | 9 | — | 8 | — | — | 13 | 27 | 23 | 31 | — | — | 62 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 125 | 114 | 23 | 46 | 125 | 28 | 125 | 110 | 62 | 47 | 126 | 2 | 47 | 125 | 30 | 110 | 125 | 14 | 110 | 125 | 43 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











