Surf Forecasts:
Sunset Beach surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 14s period, SSW swell with 1,307 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Sunset Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Sunset Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Sunset Beach in the next 16 days are 1.8m 14s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 8AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sunset Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Sunset Beach has in store.
The first thing you notice: the next few days are pretty flat and ugly. The water is running at 73°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – nearly three and a half degrees above average, so that’s something you’ll really feel.
Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are a total loss. You’ve got a tiny 3ft to 4ft swell from the SSW, but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, and the surf is either poor or just marginal. The combined energy is moderate, in the 650 to 1000 range, but the wind ruins it. Not worth getting wet.
Sunday the 6th is the only real standout across the whole 16 days. Sunday morning, we get a solid 5ft swell from the south, with a period of 14 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell. The wind turns into a gentle offshore from the NE, and by the afternoon it’s a light cross-offshore from the NNE. The combined energy jumps to 1242, so it’s got some real power. This is the best you’ll see. The water is still warm, and the break is a sandbar at Sunset Beach, fairly exposed to the SW swell direction, which is exactly what’s coming. That morning session will be clean and well-shaped. It’s a break that’s good for beginners, but with 5ft waves, it’ll be fun for everyone. Just keep in mind, crowds can be a thing here, so get out early.
Monday the 7th, the swell holds around 6ft, but the wind swings back to a cross-onshore WSW, and by the afternoon it’s moderate and choppy. The quality drops fast. Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th are similar – marginal at best, with the wind never cleaning up.
From Thursday the 10th all the way through to the 19th of September, it’s just poor. Swell drops to 1ft to 2ft, period is all over the place, and the wind is consistently onshore or cross-onshore. The combined energy falls to as low as 112, so it’s weak. Nothing to chase.
So, bottom line: Sunday the 6th is your one chance. The rest of the 16 days is a long stretch of flat, blown-out conditions. Not much to work with, but that one morning will be a treat.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 20°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Wed afternoon, min 23°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 498 | 559 | 525 | 387 | 537 | 808 | 1042 | 1142 | 1215 | 1266 | 1267 | 909 | 766 | 757 | 431 | 255 | 175 | 298 | 419 | 381 | 358 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 3:18PM2.01m | 7:16AM1.39m | 4:50PM2.06m | 7:46AM1.52m | 6:05PM2.17m | 8:14AM1.65m | 7:04PM2.26m | 8:42AM1.77m | 7:56PM2.31m | 9:11AM1.89m | 8:42PM2.30m | 9:39AM1.99m | 9:26PM2.21m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:41PM0.45m | 10:05AM1.33m | 00:44AM0.29m | 11:53AM1.25m | 1:32AM0.17m | 12:59PM1.09m | 2:12AM0.11m | 1:52PM0.92m | 2:48AM0.10m | 2:39PM0.76m | 3:21AM0.17m | 3:23PM0.62m | 3:52AM0.28m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — |
 | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 26 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
| kJ | 498 | 559 | 525 | 372 | 537 | 808 | 1042 | 1142 | 1215 | 1266 | 1267 | 909 | 766 | 757 | 431 | 255 | 175 | 160 | 419 | 381 | 358 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 11 | S 12 | W 10 | — | WNW 10 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 9 | SSW 9 | SW 10 |
| kJ | 108 | 165 | 239 | 387 | 392 | 30 | 19 | 39 | 472 | 18 | — | 19 | 80 | 80 | 130 | 127 | 129 | 298 | 99 | 52 | 100 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 13 | W 12 | W 12 | WSW 11 | — | — | — | SW 21 | SW 22 | W 9 | SSW 19 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | WSW 12 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 46 | 44 | 58 | 49 | 68 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 11 | — | — | — | 18 | 18 | 2 | 148 | 51 | 49 | 47 | 54 | 23 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | WNW 10 | W 5 | W 5 | — | — | WNW 3 | W 4 | WNW 4 | W 4 | W 4 | W 4 | W 3 | W 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 58 | 60 | 15 | 20 | — | — | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 95 | 0 | 20 | 95 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 22 | 95 | 37 | 95 | 140 | 49 | 46 | 46 | 32 | 32 | 140 | 32 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Sunset Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Sunset Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Sunset Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Sunset Beach 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 (Sunset Beach) 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 Sunset Beach 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.
Sunset Beach is 4 km (2 miles) from the city of Seal Beach. If you plan a vacation in Orange 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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