Surf Forecasts:
72nd Place surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with 519 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for 72nd Place this week:
The surf forecast for 72nd Place over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at 72nd Place in the next 16 days are 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2AM. 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 (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 72nd Place over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’.
Alright folks, it’s gonna be a flat spell. Through the next 16 days, 72nd Place is not offering any decent waves for a paddle. The water temp is sittin’ around 69°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you’d be comfortable if there was anything to ride, but there just isn’t.
The first proper window kicks off Saturday, August 15 with a small 3ft SSW swell, but the wind is cross-on from the WSW at 9 mph and the conditions are already labelled “poor surf.” That combined swell energy sits at 602 (moderate energy), but it’s not gonna help with the chop. The whole first week is a write-off – day after day of onshore or cross-on breezes, tiny swells from 3ft down to 1ft, and nothing but “poor” or “marginal” notes. The best you’ll get from the entire first week is a couple of mornings (Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th) with 3-3ft SSW swell and light WSW winds, but even those are flagged as questionable tide conditions. Not worth the paddle.
There’s a long gap of poor surf. The only flicker of something different shows up Sunday, August 23, when a very long-period SSW groundswell (19 seconds) rolls in at 1ft, energy has jumped to 282. That period is nice, but the height is tiny – knee-high at best. The following days see a similar story: long period (16-18 seconds) but tiny heights (1-2ft) and onshore or cross-on winds. The largest combined energy value shows up on Saturday, August 29 with a morning session of 777 (strong energy) from a 3ft SSW swell at 18 seconds – again, super long period, but the height is still small, and the cross-on breeze messes it up. That day has a gentle cross-onshore wind from the W at 9 mph in the afternoon too.
Honestly, for a surfer, there’s nothing here. The swell direction is constantly SSW or SW, and optimum is from SW, so direction is fine, but the size and wind are a bust. For a kiter, this setup might be more interesting – constant cross-onshore winds and small, bumpy waves. For paddle surfing, it’s a blank run. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, the 16-day outlook is a dud.
- 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 26°C on Wed afternoon, 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  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 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 | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:51PM1.86m | 12:32PM1.97m | 00:41AM1.61m | 1:08PM1.95m | 1:44AM1.38m | 1:48PM1.90m | 3:33AM1.23m | 2:40PM1.84m | 3:53PM1.82m | 8:28AM1.37m | 5:11PM1.85m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 5:57PM0.73m | 6:04AM0.57m | 6:53PM0.76m | 6:31AM0.78m | 7:58PM0.79m | 6:54AM0.97m | 9:23PM0.80m | 7:10AM1.14m | 11:04PM0.75m | 00:23AM0.65m | 10:13AM1.36m | 1:14AM0.53m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — |
 | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 24 |
Feels °C | 20 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
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 |
| kJ | 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 |
| kJ | 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 |
| kJ | 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 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 58 | — | 20 | 25 | 52 | — | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 144 | 41 | 91 | 144 | 7 | 91 | 144 | 26 | 28 | 68 | 28 | 28 | 82 | 20 | 28 | 83 | 0 | 53 | 68 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Los Angeles County | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the 72nd Place Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for 72nd Place provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at 72nd Place can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our 72nd Place 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 (72nd Place) 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 72nd Place 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.
72nd Place is 0 km (0 miles) from the city of Seal Beach. If you plan a vacation in Los Angeles County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Seal Beach. Seal Beach has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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