Surf Forecasts:
Huntington Cliffs surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 525 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. 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 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 11PM. 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 (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 15s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Huntington Cliffs over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get real about the next couple of weeks. It’s gonna be a test of patience, that’s for sure.
We’re looking at a long, flat run to start. From now through the 24th, there’s just nothing doing. We’ve got a lot of days where the swell is tiny and the wind is cross-onshore. Saturday the 15th is a write-off, with a weak 3ft SSW swell and a choppy, cross-on mess. The water is 70°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but you won’t feel it with all that chop.
We’re going to have a solid gap of about 9 days with no real surf. A few mornings, like the 17th and 19th, have light offshore winds, but the swell is just too small and weak – around 3ft at 14 seconds. It’s just not worth paddling out for. The 23rd and 24th see a slight bump in period, with a 1ft to 2ft SW swell at 19-21 seconds, but the size just isn’t there. This is a classic lull for the area, and it seems like the ocean has just switched off.
Then, things start to wake up. It’s a bit of a journey to get there, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Here’s the standout. Tuesday the 25th of August is the one to circle. The swell comes up to 5ft from the SSE, with a 16-second period. The energy is finally there with real power in the water. The wind is light and offshore in the morning, which is exactly what you want to hear. This will be the best session of the whole run by a long shot. It’s not giant, but it will be clean and have some push. It’s still very manageable, and the offshore wind will make it worth the wait.
The following days, the 26th and 27th, keep the size up, with 6ft and 6ft swells, but the wind gets a bit more cross-on. It’s still surfable, but the real gem is that Tuesday morning. By the 29th and 30th, the swell fades back down and the winds get onshore again, so it looks like we’ll be back to small, choppy waves. The long-range stuff is promising but less certain, so don’t book your whole life around it, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
So, the plan is simple: wait it out, and be ready for Tuesday the 25th.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 22°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
532 | 519 | 382 | 272 | 268 | 268 | 268 | 261 | 203 | 181 | 242 | 270 | 280 | 196 | 183 | 183 | 175 | 101 | 99 | 99 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:49PM1.85m | 12:30PM1.96m | 00:39AM1.60m | 1:05PM1.93m | 1:41AM1.37m | 1:46PM1.88m | 3:31AM1.21m | 2:38PM1.83m | 3:51PM1.80m | 8:28AM1.36m | 5:09PM1.83m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 5:55PM0.72m | 6:02AM0.56m | 6:51PM0.75m | 6:29AM0.77m | 7:56PM0.79m | 6:51AM0.96m | 9:21PM0.80m | 7:07AM1.13m | 11:03PM0.75m | 00:22AM0.64m | 10:11AM1.35m | 1:13AM0.53m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
532 | 519 | 382 | 272 | 268 | 268 | 268 | 71 | 63 | 46 | 242 | 270 | 280 | 196 | 183 | 183 | 175 | 101 | 99 | 99 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 5 | W 5 | S 10 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | WSW 6 | W 6 | SW 19 | WSW 4 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 |
2 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 30 | 36 | 36 | 261 | 203 | 181 | 18 | 28 | 18 | 6 | 11 | 14 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | S 11 | S 11 | W 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 18 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 8 | SW 20 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 19 | S 10 | S 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 16 |
10 | 20 | 20 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 32 | 2 | 67 | 66 | 14 | 16 | 1 | 12 | 57 | 8 | 8 | 81 | 50 | 51 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | — | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 6 | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — |
58 | — | 20 | 25 | 52 | — | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 135 | 41 | 99 | 135 | 16 | 99 | 135 | 17 | 36 | 76 | 36 | 36 | 91 | 11 | 36 | 92 | 0 | 53 | 76 | 0 |
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.











