Huntington Cliffs Surf Break

Lat Long: 33.68° N 118.04° W

Huntington Cliffs Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 pm 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Huntington Cliffs sea temperature is
20.7° C
1.3° 

Huntington Cliffs surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Huntington Cliffs surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s period, S swell with 704 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 14s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 1.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Fri 21st Aug)1.5ft (0.5m) 14s
Best Surf 2AM (Sun 23rd Aug)2ft (0.6m) 14s
Most Powerful11PM (Wed 26th Aug)4.5ft (1.4m) 13s

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 Huntington Cliffs has got cookin’ for us over the next couple weeks. Gotta be honest, it’s a bit of a slow burn this time. We’re looking at a pretty blank start.

The first few days are a tough watch. From Thursday the 20th right through the following week, it’s mostly small, weak, and choppy. On the 20th, we’ve got a tiny 2ft SSW swell, but it’s cross-on wind and the energy is weak (213). That combo just doesn’t give us anything clean to work with. Friday and Saturday aren’t any better – waist-high mush with onshore wind. Not worth paddling out for.

We do see a shift starting around Sunday the 23rd. The swell period jumps way up to 19 seconds, but the height is still only 1ft. That’s a long-period groundswell, but with no size, it’s just gonna be a wash. The combined energy climbs into the moderate range (252), but the conditions are still marginal. Monday the 24th is similar – tiny but with a bit more push (329). Still, it’s not what you want to rush out for.

Tuesday the 25th through the rest of the week sees the energy building significantly, hitting 740 on Wednesday morning the 26th with a 4ft S swell. That’s moderate wave energy, and the swell size is getting there, but the wind is a persistent cross-on shore breeze, keeping things lumpy. It’s all labeled as marginal or poor. Too much chop for a good time.

Then we get to Thursday the 4th of September. Now we’re talking. That morning is the standout. The forecast shows glassy conditions with a light SSE breeze and a solid 3ft SSW swell. The period is a very long 18 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy hitting the Cliffs. The combined energy is strong (785). The wind is glassy – that is the magic ingredient. For a spot like Huntington Cliffs, which is exposed to a WSW optimum, this SSW swell is a nice angle, and with glass off, it’s going to be clean and lined up. This is the call for the whole period. If you can hold out, get down there Thursday morning.

Now, about the water. At this time of year, the water temp is running 69°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this part of the coast.

After that Thursday morning, the winds look like they pick up again in the afternoon, making it messier. There’s nothing else in the second week that really jumps out as a must-surf. The rest of the run is more of the same – small or marginal.

So, to wrap it up: the first week and a half is a write-off for quality. A few windows of marginal, grovelly surf from the 23rd onward, but nothing to get stoked about. The one bright spot is Thursday morning, September 4th. That glassy, long-period groundswell is your best bet by a long shot. Get on it.

Stay patient.
Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 22°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Tue afternoon, min 22°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
2
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.7
SSW
14
0.4
SW
18
0.5
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.3
SW
18
0.5
SSW
15
0.6
SSW
14
0.4
SW
19
0.4
SW
18
0.7
SSW
14
0.5
SW
18
0.5
SW
17
0.6
SW
17
0.6
SW
16
0.7
S
13
1
S
13
0.9
S
14
0.9
SSW
16
0.9
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
175
101
99
99
63
121
165
127
112
213
154
142
224
216
170
336
306
401
351
Wind (km/h)
10
SSW
10
SW
15
WSW
5
SW
10
WSW
15
WSW
5
SW
10
SW
20
W
10
WSW
10
WSW
20
W
5
SSW
10
WSW
15
W
15
SSE
15
S
10
SSW
10
SSE
Wind State
cross-on
on
on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
High Tide
8:28AM1.36m
5:09PM1.83m
8:31AM1.43m
6:11PM1.91m
8:46AM1.49m
6:58PM2.01m
9:02AM1.55m
7:38PM2.11m
9:20AM1.61m
8:13PM2.17m
9:39AM1.67m
8:47PM2.20m
Low Tide
00:22AM0.64m
10:11AM1.35m
1:13AM0.53m
11:59AM1.32m
1:50AM0.42m
12:54PM1.24m
2:22AM0.33m
1:33PM1.15m
2:49AM0.27m
2:09PM1.05m
3:15AM0.24m
2:43PM0.95m
3:40AM0.24m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:18
6:18
6:18
6:20
6:20
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:30
7:30
7:29
7:28
7:27
7:24
 mm
Temp °C
22
24
25
23
25
26
24
26
26
24
25
26
25
26
28
25
25
25
24
Feels °C
24
25
26
24
26
26
24
26
25
24
25
25
25
25
26
24
25
25
24
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  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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