Surf Forecasts:
Sunset Beach surf forecast from 21 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 19s period, SW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 19s period, SW swell with 863 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 13s 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 Thursday (Jul 23) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. 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 1.1m 19s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 5AM. 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+) | 8AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 19s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 19s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sunset Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surfers, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a tough stretch ahead. We’ve got a long run of days where the conditions are just not coming together for a proper session. The good news is there’s a real pulse of energy coming through right at the end of the month, so we’ve got something to aim for.
Looking at the forecast, the first real shot at anything worthwhile is Tuesday morning, July 21st. We’ve got a solid 4ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period pushing in. The combined energy is moderate at 758. The wind is light and from the SSW, which is an onshore direction for Sunset Beach, but it’s just a gentle breeze. The issue is the tide conditions are questionable. It’s a tricky one to call, but there could be a few clean lines if you pick the right bank.
Things get pretty grim after that. From Tuesday afternoon through to the end of July, we’re looking at a mix of small, weak swell and onshore to cross-onshore winds that’ll chop everything up. The morning of Thursday, July 31st is where things get interesting again. A bigger S swell starts showing up, hitting 6ft with a 16-second period. The wind is light and offshore from the WSW, which is a big positive for clean conditions. The combined energy jumps to 1586, which is strong. This is the standout window. The morning looks best, but the afternoon gets a bit windier. This is the one to circle on the calendar.
After that pulse, it fades fast. The first week of August sees the swell drop back to tiny, weak waves with poor conditions. It’s a real flat spell to end the run.
So, to sum it up: if you’re desperate, you might get a few on Tuesday morning, July 21st, but it’s a gamble. The real winner is the Thursday, July 31st morning session at Sunset Beach with that 6ft S swell and light offshore wind. That’s your best bet by a long shot.
Stay frothy, catch some if you can.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 21°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 24 | S 13 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 298 | 724 | 358 | 434 | 334 | 325 | 293 | 495 | 411 | 334 | 444 | 329 | 467 | 584 | 450 | 664 | 657 | 565 | 547 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:45AM1.30m | 3:59PM1.91m | 5:56AM1.25m | 4:52PM1.92m | 7:42AM1.31m | 5:46PM1.96m | 8:36AM1.39m | 6:34PM2.02m | 9:08AM1.45m | 7:18PM2.09m | 9:34AM1.50m | 7:57PM2.17m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:13PM0.88m | 8:48AM0.99m | 11:40PM0.77m | 9:38AM1.14m | 00:48AM0.63m | 10:51AM1.24m | 1:36AM0.51m | 12:04PM1.27m | 2:16AM0.40m | 1:00PM1.25m | 2:50AM0.31m | 1:43PM1.20m | 3:22AM0.24m | ||||||
 | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | 8:00 | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:57 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 7 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 |
| kJ | 298 | 724 | 358 | 434 | 334 | 325 | 110 | 495 | 411 | 334 | 324 | 329 | 345 | 250 | 176 | 664 | 657 | 565 | 547 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 14 | SSW 9 | SW 9 | SSW 8 | S 14 | S 13 | W 7 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 21 | SSW 21 | SW 21 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | W 7 |
| kJ | 96 | 20 | 64 | 39 | 36 | 206 | 276 | 70 | 52 | 99 | 63 | 34 | 467 | 584 | 450 | 199 | 143 | 105 | 43 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | W 13 | SW 12 | SSW 8 | SSE 16 | SW 8 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 26 | SSW 26 | SW 24 | SW 24 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 11 |
| kJ | 114 | 14 | 66 | 24 | 84 | 20 | 293 | 51 | 105 | 66 | 444 | 271 | 32 | 32 | 19 | 19 | 29 | 19 | 79 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 4 | W 4 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 5 | 17 | — | — | 84 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 32 | 140 | 46 | 140 | 99 | 20 | 95 | 140 | 32 | 32 | 86 | 32 | 32 | 140 | 32 | 32 | 95 | 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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