
Surf Forecasts:
Huntington Cliffs surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, SSW swell with 348 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Huntington Cliffs this week:
The surf forecast for Huntington Cliffs over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Huntington Cliffs in the next 16 days are 0.8m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11AM. 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 (Thu 17th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Huntington Cliffs over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' at Huntington Cliffs.
First up, the water is sitting at a balmy 71°, which is 5° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s a solid anomaly, so you’re in for a treat if you’re skipping the wettie.
Now, I gotta be straight with you—this stretch is looking pretty bleak for the next 16 days. There’s a massive gap of surf with nothing worth paddling out for right up until Wednesday morning, the 16th of September. Even then, it's marginal at best.
The whole forecast is plagued by onshore and cross-onshore winds, poor surf quality, and generally weak, disorganized energy. The combined swell energy on the best mornings is moderate, peaking around 452 (Thursday the 17th morning), but the problem is that the wind is always mucking it up. You'll get these tiny swells from the SSW and SW, around 1ft to 3ft, with periods mostly between 13 and 20 seconds. The longer-period stuff would be nice at a point break, but here at the cliffs, it's just gonna be messy with the wind.
The only days that even nudge into "maybe" territory are Wednesday morning the 16th, and Saturday morning the 19th, both scoring a 1 out of 10 for marginal surf. On the 16th, you've got a 3ft SSW swell at 18 seconds, with light cross-onshore winds. It'll be small and a bit bumpy, but if you're desperate, it's the best on offer. The 19th is similar with a 2ft SW swell at 18 seconds and light offshore winds in the morning—that's your best chance for a clean-ish wave, but still tiny.
Honestly, for the whole 16-day window, the standout is hard to pick. I'd say Saturday morning the 19th of September is your best bet: 2ft SW swell at 18 seconds, light offshore wind from the WSW, and combined energy of 349. It's still marginal, but with those clean conditions, you might snag a few fun little ones. The crowds are often here, so expect company.
After that, it’s more of the same: tiny swells, onshore winds, and poor surf. A few mornings like the 22nd and 23rd show marginal potential with light offshore winds, but the swell is just too small and weak.
Bottom line: This is a tough run for Huntington Cliffs. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on most days, especially when the wind is up. Keep an eye on it—forecasts can change—but for now, don't hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | W 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
136 | 97 | 89 | 87 | 180 | 108 | 108 | 147 | 93 | 127 | 87 | 348 | 249 | 291 | 220 | 193 | 242 | 236 | 236 | 183 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:50PM1.88m | 11:00AM2.10m | 11:34PM1.68m | 11:28AM2.06m | 00:24AM1.49m | 11:58AM1.99m | 1:29AM1.32m | 12:32PM1.90m | 4:03AM1.23m | 1:18PM1.80m | 2:40PM1.72m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 4:47PM0.49m | 4:44AM0.61m | 5:31PM0.50m | 5:08AM0.80m | 6:19PM0.56m | 5:28AM0.97m | 7:14PM0.63m | 5:41AM1.11m | 8:28PM0.71m | 5:07AM1.23m | 10:10PM0.72m | 11:38PM0.66m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
7:02 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:53 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | W 6 |
136 | 23 | 58 | 43 | 180 | 88 | 38 | 22 | 20 | 39 | 21 | 348 | 249 | 291 | 220 | 193 | 242 | 118 | 236 | 36 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 6 | S 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | W 4 | SW 19 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
15 | 97 | 89 | 87 | 44 | 108 | 108 | 147 | 93 | 88 | 87 | 6 | 15 | 67 | 111 | 46 | 9 | 236 | 104 | 101 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | S 10 | W 5 | S 9 | SW 21 | S 9 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SW 19 |
16 | 13 | 12 | 58 | 129 | 44 | 40 | 38 | 37 | 127 | 69 | 16 | 5 | 27 | 116 | 26 | 35 | 37 | 35 | 183 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | W 3 | — | W 5 | W 5 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | — | 7 | 19 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 76 | 36 | 36 | 99 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 135 | 14 | 109 | 135 | 41 | 99 | 135 | 17 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Huntington Cliffs Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Huntington Cliffs provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Huntington Cliffs can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Huntington Cliffs 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 (Huntington Cliffs) 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 Huntington Cliffs 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.
Huntington Cliffs is 6 km (4 miles) from the city of Huntington Beach. If you plan a vacation in Orange County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










