
Surf Forecasts:
Huntington Cliffs surf forecast from 15 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: Sunday 20 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, SW swell with 379 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 Sunday (Sep 20) at 2PM. 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 | 2PM (Sun 20th 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 get into it.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this forecast window for Huntington Cliffs is looking like a long, flat stretch. We’ve got a solid 16 days ahead, but don't get your hopes up for any proper waves. The first record we've got is for Monday, September 14th, and from there it's a grim picture.
The water temp is sitting at a very unusual 73°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year. It feels like summer's hanging on, but unfortunately the surf isn't.
We're looking at a big gap with no real recommendations. The swell just isn't showing up with any real energy. The combined energy values we see are in the 200-500 range, which is low to moderate, but the actual wave heights are tiny. The first few days, Monday the 14th through Wednesday the 16th, are all scoring a big fat zero. The swell is coming from the SW, but at only 1ft to 3ft. Periods are long, 16-18 seconds, which would normally be promising groundswell, but there's just no size behind it. The wind is all over the place, mostly cross to onshore, so it's choppy.
We finally see a couple of days that are only slightly better. On Thursday morning the 17th, and Friday morning the 18th, the forecast nudges up to a "marginal" rating. The swell is still small at 2ft-2ft from the SSW, with a period of 16-19 seconds. The wind is light, a light breeze from the SSW, which makes it cross-on. It's not good, but it's the closest thing we've got. Combined energy is around 367-369, which is moderate but doesn't translate to any real wave face.
Then we drop right back into poor conditions for the rest of the window. The second week from the 21st of September onward is a write-off. The swell direction shifts more to the SW, and while heights stay around 2ft to 3ft, the period drops off to 13-16 seconds and the wind is consistently cross-on or onshore, sometimes a moderate breeze making it choppy. The combined energy dips and spikes but never delivers. Saturday the 26th and Tuesday the 29th get a "marginal" tag, but with tiny 1ft-2ft swell and onshore wind, it's nothing to get excited about.
Honestly, this is a blank run. There are no standouts. The spot is fairly consistent by nature, but with this outlook, it just doesn't tend to stay this poor for long, so forecasts can change. For now, don't bother paddling out.
Stay tuned,
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 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 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
108 | 108 | 147 | 127 | 127 | 87 | 348 | 252 | 291 | 223 | 191 | 242 | 236 | 236 | 183 | 255 | 252 | 252 | 375 | 375 | 358 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross |
High Tide | 11:28AM2.06m | 00:24AM1.49m | 11:58AM1.99m | 1:29AM1.32m | 12:32PM1.90m | 4:03AM1.23m | 1:18PM1.80m | 2:40PM1.72m | 8:15AM1.44m | 4:25PM1.73m | 7:57AM1.50m | 5:38PM1.80m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 6:19PM0.56m | 5:28AM0.97m | 7:14PM0.63m | 5:41AM1.11m | 8:28PM0.71m | 5:07AM1.23m | 10:10PM0.72m | 11:38PM0.66m | 10:13AM1.43m | 00:32AM0.56m | 11:56AM1.34m | 1:09AM0.48m | |||||||||
6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 10 | W 9 | SW 16 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | W 6 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 7 |
47 | 94 | 40 | 127 | 39 | 20 | 348 | 252 | 291 | 223 | 191 | 242 | 118 | 236 | 32 | 255 | 252 | 252 | 375 | 375 | 71 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 11 | SW 19 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 17 |
108 | 108 | 147 | 19 | 88 | 87 | 11 | 6 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 66 | 236 | 104 | 139 | 99 | 16 | 26 | 43 | 43 | 358 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 13 | SW 21 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 19 | W 6 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
44 | 40 | 38 | 23 | 127 | 69 | 15 | 14 | 43 | 116 | 47 | 111 | 15 | 16 | 183 | 16 | 96 | 76 | 48 | 49 | 51 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | — | — | SSE 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | — |
1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | 89 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 135 | 11 | 135 | 99 | 12 | 36 | 76 | 18 | 36 | 99 | 11 | 36 | 76 | 29 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










