Surf Forecasts:
72nd Place surf forecast from 16 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SW swell with 470 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 8AM (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 8AM. 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 0.9m 17s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) 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+) | 8AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Mon 21st Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for 72nd Place over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on offer for this stretch. We've only got one spot in the game, and it's a tricky one.
Right off the bat, the water's sitting at a very warm 72°, which is a solid 6° warmer than normal for this time of year. That's a real standout.
Now, for the surf itself, the first week is a total write-off. From the 15th through to the 27th of September, it's just grim. We're looking at tiny, weak swell with poor conditions. The swell energy is mostly moderate, peaking around the 20th at 513, but it's all messed up by onshore or cross-onshore winds. The swell is coming from the SSW or SW, which is okay for this sheltered spot, but the period is all over the place, from 20 seconds down to 12. When it's that long period (groundswell) it can make a beach break like 72nd Place a bit tricky, but honestly, the waves are just too small and weak to matter. It's a long, flat, frustrating run.
Then things finally change. On Monday the 28th of September, we finally get a sniff. The morning brings a light cross-offshore breeze from the NNW and clean conditions. The swell is still small at 2ft from the SSW, but the energy is moderate at 299, and it's surfable. It's not going to be world-class, but it's something.
The real glimmer of hope comes on Tuesday the 29th of September. The morning is looking glassy, with a slight air from the WNW. The swell is still a small 2ft from the SSW, but the energy is moderate (335) and that glassy surface makes all the difference. This is the pick of the period for a quiet, clean, small-wave session. It's an inconsistent break, so don't expect a wave every minute, but if you want a paddle, this is your window.
We finish up on Wednesday the 30th of September. The morning has a slight cross-on breeze and a bit more energy coming in from the SSE (523), but it's still a marginal 3ft. The afternoon sees the swell bump up to 3ft from the SSE with strong energy at 658, but it's getting choppy again with a cross-onshore wind. For a spot that's inconsistent and sheltered, this is the most size we'll see, but the conditions aren't doing it any favours.
So, in a nutshell: a long, flat first week, then a couple of small, clean windows at the very end. The glassy morning on the 29th is your best bet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 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 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 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 127 | 87 | 348 | 252 | 291 | 223 | 191 | 242 | 236 | 236 | 183 | 255 | 252 | 252 | 375 | 375 | 358 | 338 | 465 | 318 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:32AM1.33m | 12:34PM1.91m | 4:04AM1.24m | 1:20PM1.81m | 2:42PM1.74m | 8:15AM1.45m | 4:26PM1.74m | 7:58AM1.51m | 5:40PM1.81m | 8:06AM1.58m | 6:31PM1.90m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 7:16PM0.64m | 5:44AM1.12m | 8:30PM0.71m | 5:12AM1.24m | 10:11PM0.73m | 11:39PM0.66m | 10:15AM1.44m | 00:33AM0.57m | 11:57AM1.35m | 1:10AM0.48m | 12:45PM1.23m | 1:40AM0.42m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | 6:59 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:51 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | W 7 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 39 | 87 | 348 | 252 | 291 | 223 | 191 | 242 | 118 | 104 | 139 | 255 | 252 | 252 | 375 | 375 | 55 | 338 | 465 | 318 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | W 8 | W 5 | W 5 | SSW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 21 | WSW 5 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 17 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 |
| kJ | 88 | 21 | 5 | 5 | 28 | 25 | 116 | 7 | 236 | 236 | 183 | 99 | 96 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 358 | 43 | 31 | 18 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 13 | SW 21 | SSW 8 | SW 21 | W 6 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | W 5 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 |
| kJ | 127 | 69 | 15 | 14 | 43 | 116 | 14 | 111 | 15 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 9 | 76 | 48 | 49 | 51 | 48 | 46 | 26 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | 62 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 191 | 28 | 28 | 144 | 28 | 28 | 144 | 0 | 28 | 68 | 20 | 28 | 68 | 24 | 28 | 68 | 25 | 28 | 91 | 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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