Surf Forecasts:
Sunset Beach surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 15s period, S swell with 1,046 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 14s period with S 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 14s. 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 1.5m 15s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 8PM. 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 (Fri 31st Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 15s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sunset Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s happening at Sunset Beach (North OC). To be honest, mate, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim. We’ve got a long stretch of nothing much to get excited about. The combined swell energy is weak to moderate at best, with readings like 754 and 490, and it just doesn’t build into anything substantial.
The best you’ll see is this coming Saturday morning, the 25th of July. It’s not a classic, but it’s the pick of a poor bunch. We’ve got a 3ft SW swell running with a 21-second period – that’s a proper long-period groundswell, which means it’ll have some shape and power, but at a beach break like Sunset, it might pitch a bit too straight. It’s a fairly consistent spot, but expect a few crowds. The wind is a light cross-onshore from the SSW at 6 mph, which will keep things a bit bumpy. The combined swell energy is moderate at 745.
Sunday morning the 26th is similar, with a 3ft SSW swell and 19-second period, but again, it’s marginal. The water temp is about average for the time of year.
After that, the surf really fades. We get a little bump around the 30th of July and 1st of August, with swell heights pushing 5ft to 6ft, and the combined energy gets up to 1381 and 1158, which is moderate. But the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, and the quality just isn’t there. The period drops to 13-14 seconds, so it’s less interesting.
From the 2nd of August onwards, it’s a real drought. The swell drops to 2ft or less, and the energy readings are all below 200. The wind is mostly light, but there’s nothing to push you into a wave. Honestly, for a beginner spot that’s fairly consistent, this is a real quiet spell. It won’t stay this flat forever, but for now, you’re better off leaving the board in the car.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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 13 | SW 24 | SW 24 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 286 | 444 | 271 | 467 | 664 | 450 | 863 | 657 | 565 | 614 | 727 | 719 | 608 | 742 | 580 | 651 | 392 | 481 | 469 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:36AM1.39m | 6:34PM2.02m | 9:08AM1.45m | 7:18PM2.09m | 9:34AM1.50m | 7:57PM2.17m | 9:59AM1.53m | 8:34PM2.24m | 10:24AM1.57m | 9:08PM2.27m | 10:50AM1.60m | 9:42PM2.26m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:36AM0.51m | 12:04PM1.27m | 2:16AM0.40m | 1:00PM1.25m | 2:50AM0.31m | 1:43PM1.20m | 3:22AM0.24m | 2:21PM1.14m | 3:52AM0.20m | 2:57PM1.09m | 4:21AM0.19m | 3:33PM1.04m | 4:49AM0.21m | ||||||
 |  | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 286 | 252 | 186 | 467 | 664 | 450 | 863 | 657 | 565 | 614 | 727 | 719 | 608 | 742 | 580 | 651 | 392 | 481 | 469 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | S 11 | W 6 | S 10 | S 12 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 10 | W 7 | W 7 | SSE 16 |
| kJ | 85 | 58 | 33 | 121 | 29 | 51 | 71 | 44 | 22 | 34 | 69 | 33 | 48 | 48 | 33 | 49 | 37 | 24 | 253 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 26 | SW 24 | SW 24 | W 6 | S 10 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSE 9 | SSW 12 | S 9 | S 10 | S 19 | SSE 15 | SSW 18 | SSE 14 | W 6 |
| kJ | 66 | 444 | 271 | 19 | 52 | 19 | 19 | 47 | 23 | 24 | 9 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 188 | 45 | 104 | 80 | 13 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 86 | 32 | 32 | 87 | 32 | 32 | 95 | 32 | 32 | 95 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 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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