Surf Forecasts:
56th St surf forecast from 20 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, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, SSW swell with 850 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 13s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5AM. 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+) | 8AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 56th St over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table.
Honestly, it is a grim picture for the next couple of weeks at 56th St. We are looking at a long, frustrating run of poor surf, right through to around the end of August. The swell is tiny, mostly between 1ft and 2ft, and the wind is constantly cross-on. It’s going to be a struggle to find anything ridable, let alone good. The energy in the water is weak, with combined energies stuck in the 200 to 300 range (266) – not exactly pumping. The water temp is a touch warmer than normal at 70°F, which would sting less if there was something to surf.
Things stay pretty flat and choppy through the weekend and into the new week. There is a slight uptick in swell around Wednesday the 26th, with the height pushing to 3ft from the S. But the cross-on wind is still hanging around, keeping it messy with small wind ripples.
Finally, around Thursday the 27th of August, there's a bit more size, hitting 5ft from the SSW with a moderate cross-on breeze. It’s still not classic, but the energy jumps up (988), so there will be some punch there. This is about as good as it gets, but it’s still marginal.
Then from the 29th, it backs off again, dropping back to 3ft. The wind does go straight offshore a few times, which is good, but the swell just isn't there to back it up. We are looking at a lot of flat, blown-out days. Honestly, for most of this outlook, the conditions look more suited to a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.
The only faint glimmer is on the morning of Thursday the 3rd of September. We have a long-period 2ft S swell (14 secs) with light cross-on wind. The energy level is weak (262), but that longer period could give a few better shaped waves if you are patient. But it is a major long shot.
The real standout, if you can call it one, is the morning of Friday the 4th of September. An offshore wind from the S at 6 mph, with a 2ft SSW groundswell at 16 seconds. The combined energy will be moderate (453). With that very long period and a clean offshore breeze, it might actually shape up nicely as a long-period groundswell, even though the size is small. Because it’s a sheltered spot and that swell direction is right on the optimum, it could hold some clean waves for those who know the break. It’s still small, but it might be the one morning worth checking before the energy drops again.
Signing off,
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sun morning, min 22°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | 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 15 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
183 | 183 | 175 | 101 | 99 | 99 | 63 | 121 | 165 | 127 | 112 | 210 | 163 | 142 | 224 | 216 | 170 | 326 | 321 | 495 | 362 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-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 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 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 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 6 | SSW 15 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 17 | W 6 | W 6 | S 13 | W 7 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 |
183 | 183 | 175 | 101 | 99 | 99 | 28 | 121 | 26 | 27 | 16 | 210 | 163 | 142 | 61 | 50 | 170 | 103 | 321 | 495 | 362 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 13 | W 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 12 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 13 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 |
26 | 17 | 10 | 17 | 10 | 16 | 63 | 18 | 165 | 99 | 98 | 23 | 26 | 50 | 224 | 216 | 127 | 326 | 71 | 55 | 93 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 9 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
57 | 14 | 8 | 81 | 49 | 51 | 50 | 27 | 58 | 127 | 112 | 155 | 154 | 66 | 89 | 89 | 6 | 124 | 253 | 326 | 344 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 38 | — | — | 35 | — | — | 33 | 94 | 81 | 71 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 46 | 87 | 37 | 42 | 125 | 14 | 110 | 125 | 0 | 125 | 125 | 30 | 110 | 125 | 14 | 110 | 114 | 46 | 46 | 101 | 46 |
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.











