Surf Forecasts:
Sunset Beach surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 9 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 9 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 543 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 9 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s 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 Thursday (Jul 09) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 8s. 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 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 09) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Thu 9th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sunset Beach over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the same outlook in feet and knots.
The 16-day forecast at Sunset Beach is a tough one, with a long, flat spell right off the bat. From Wednesday 8th July through Saturday 18th July, there’s basically nothing to get excited about. That’s over a week and a half of poor surf conditions.
The waves are tiny, running 1 ft to 3 ft, and the wind is a headache—mostly onshore or cross-onshore from the SSW or SW, keeping everything choppy and messy. The combined swell energy is weak, and the wave period is a mixed bag but mostly short to mid-range. The water temp is a normal 19°.
The only potential day in the whole window is Sunday 19th July. The swell finally kicks up to 4 ft to 5 ft from the S and SSW, with a period of 15-16 seconds—that’s real groundswell with some punch. The combined energy hits 1117, which is moderate. But the wind is still cross-onshore, and the forecast is calling it “marginal.” The tide and that awkward wind direction will likely mess up the shape. It’s a fairly exposed sandbar, so it’s not going to be clean.
The Monday 20th July morning might be a little cleaner with light SW winds and 4 ft swell, but it’s still a marginal call. After that, the energy drops off again into the next week.
For a spot that’s usually fairly consistent, this is a long dry spell. The swell never gets big enough to worry anyone, but the poor, choppy conditions will make it a grind. If the wind stays cross and the waves stay this messy, this might be a better window for kite-surfing than paddle-surfing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 505 | 524 | 422 | 402 | 397 | 339 | 309 | 305 | 314 | 263 | 210 | 297 | 301 | 217 | 236 | 239 | 149 | 119 | 123 | 152 | 78 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 4:27PM2.01m | 6:04AM1.28m | 5:21PM2.15m | 7:32AM1.35m | 6:16PM2.30m | 8:34AM1.45m | 7:11PM2.44m | 9:24AM1.53m | 8:04PM2.55m | 10:08AM1.60m | 8:55PM2.60m | 10:50AM1.67m | 9:45PM2.58m | 11:32AM1.72m | |||||||
Low Tide | 00:00AM0.66m | 10:18AM1.05m | 1:02AM0.41m | 11:28AM1.12m | 1:55AM0.18m | 12:36PM1.13m | 2:45AM-0.00m | 1:38PM1.10m | 3:32AM-0.12m | 2:35PM1.05m | 4:17AM-0.16m | 3:29PM1.00m | 5:00AM-0.12m | ||||||||
 |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 |
 | 8:05 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | 8:02 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 13 | W 8 |
| kJ | 505 | 524 | 422 | 402 | 397 | 339 | 309 | 305 | 314 | 263 | 210 | 297 | 301 | 217 | 236 | 239 | 149 | 119 | 123 | 86 | 74 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 8 | W 7 | W 10 | W 10 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 18 | S 18 | SW 21 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 19 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 46 | 72 | 37 | 68 | 46 | 38 | 26 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 102 | 25 | 18 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 96 | 13 | 19 | 21 | 66 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 9 | WNW 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 11 | S 21 | S 9 | S 19 | S 20 | WSW 5 | S 24 | W 17 | S 16 | SW 21 | SW 19 | W 5 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | — | 28 | 29 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 30 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 46 | 18 | 59 | 5 | 57 | 111 | 152 | 78 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 5 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 72 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 53 | 29 | 32 | 181 | 0 | 140 | 95 | 32 | 57 | 46 | 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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