Surf Forecasts:
72nd Place surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 8AM (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 (0.7m), 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m 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 72nd Place in the next 16 days are 0.8m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be 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 (0.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (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 72nd Place over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Imperial
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down this surf outlook. I have to be honest, it’s a tough watch. The next 16 days are looking like a real test of patience. There’s a bit of swell in the water, but the wind is the enemy. It’s either blowing straight onshore or from a bad angle almost every single day, chopping up what could be smooth lines. It’s one of those long, quiet periods where the cams look grey and messy. The first week and a half is basically a write-off.
The only break in the entire forecast worth mentioning is 72nd Place, and even that comes with a big warning. This is an inconsistent wave meant for advanced surfers only, so don’t get any ideas if you’re still learning.
Your best – and really only – shot comes on Sunday, September 28th. In the morning it’s a bit rough with light cross-onshore wind, but the afternoon shows a 0.6m (2 ft) swell from the SW with a very long 20-second period. The combined energy is strong (485), and the direction is what this break likes. That long period should give it some real push and shape. The problem? The onshore wind will still be there, putting a ripple on the face. The water temp is 71°F, which is much warmer than normal, so at least the air will feel good while you’re watching an average session.
The rest of the fortnight is a bust. Swell heights touch 0.9m (3 ft) a couple of times, but the wind never lets up. After the 22nd, the energy drops off and the wind stays right in your face. There’s a flicker of life on the 27th with a long-period 0.4m (1 ft) swell, but again, the wind is on it. Honestly, this might be a better time to rig up a kite than paddle out. For a surfer, there’s just nothing to chase here. Forecasts can change, so don’t lose hope, but for now, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 20°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 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 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 87 | 175 | 108 | 108 | 147 | 127 | 127 | 87 | 348 | 249 | 291 | 198 | 191 | 242 | 236 | 236 | 183 | 255 | 252 | 252 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:36PM1.69m | 11:30AM2.07m | 00:26AM1.50m | 12:00PM2.00m | 1:32AM1.33m | 12:34PM1.91m | 4:04AM1.24m | 1:20PM1.81m | 2:42PM1.74m | 8:15AM1.45m | 4:26PM1.74m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 5:33PM0.51m | 5:10AM0.80m | 6:21PM0.56m | 5:30AM0.98m | 7:16PM0.64m | 5:44AM1.12m | 8:30PM0.71m | 5:12AM1.24m | 10:11PM0.73m | 11:39PM0.66m | 10:15AM1.44m | 00:33AM0.57m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — |
 | 7:01 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | SW 16 | W 9 | W 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 18 | W 6 |
| kJ | 55 | 175 | 70 | 42 | 29 | 127 | 39 | 12 | 348 | 249 | 291 | 198 | 191 | 242 | 118 | 236 | 47 | 37 | 252 | 50 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 6 | S 9 | SSW 9 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 19 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | W 6 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 87 | 44 | 108 | 108 | 147 | 20 | 88 | 87 | 11 | 14 | 28 | 48 | 46 | 65 | 236 | 104 | 139 | 255 | 37 | 252 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | W 10 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | S 9 | WSW 5 | SW 13 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 21 | S 11 | S 9 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 12 |
| kJ | 58 | 129 | 44 | 17 | 38 | 23 | 127 | 69 | 15 | 6 | 43 | 26 | 25 | 111 | 55 | 13 | 183 | 99 | 66 | 76 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SSE 2 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 14 | — | — | 62 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 144 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 144 | 20 | 144 | 91 | 0 | 144 | 68 | 7 | 25 | 68 | 28 |
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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