Surf Forecasts:
Sunset Beach surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 635 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s. 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 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5PM. 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 (Tue 1st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Sunset Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what's coming down the line for our local stretch.
Well, I gotta be straight with you – the forecast over the next 16 days is a tough one to call. The pattern is looking pretty flat and blown out for the most part. There's a serious gap in quality surf here. From the start of the outlook through to the second week, we're looking at a whole lot of days with poor conditions and no real standouts. The only glimmer of hope is a few mornings with marginal surf, but they're few and far between. You're looking at a long stretch of nothing much to get excited about.
Let's talk about the only real shot we've got, and it's a bit of a long shot. On the 29th of August, Saturday morning, Sunset Beach might just have something. We're looking at a long-period groundswell from the SSW pushing through at 3 ft, with a period of 17 seconds. That's a very long period swell, which means good energy and shape, but it's a sandbar, so it could be a bit straight. The combined swell energy is moderate at 650. The wind is a light breeze from the SSW, so it's onshore, but it's light, so it might be workable. The water is a very unusual 74°, which is 7° warmer than normal for this time of year – that's a big anomaly. The early morning is your best bet, but the forecast says it's marginal with questionable tide conditions. It's a beginner-friendly break, and it's fairly consistent, but crowds are sometimes an issue. Still, for the whole 16-day window, this Saturday morning is the only thing that even comes close to a recommendation. After that, it's a long, dry spell right through to the 13th of September.
Honestly, for the rest of the period, the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell is tiny and weak. There's nothing to get your hopes up for. Most of the time the combined energy is below 500, and the wave heights are all under 3 ft. It's a pretty bleak outlook for paddle surfing. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing if you're into that sort of thing.
So, keep your expectations low. The only real window is that Saturday morning, and even that's a gamble. The seas are just not cooperating.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 601 | 635 | 604 | 417 | 330 | 261 | 178 | 184 | 119 | 114 | 195 | 174 | 248 | 171 | 203 | 196 | 276 | 497 | 448 | 427 | 532 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:45AM1.91m | 10:36PM1.97m | 11:10AM1.98m | 11:16PM1.80m | 11:39AM2.03m | 00:03AM1.60m | 12:12PM2.05m | 1:05AM1.40m | 12:55PM2.04m | 2:49AM1.24m | 1:54PM2.02m | 6:07AM1.26m | 3:18PM2.01m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:36PM0.71m | 4:52AM0.50m | 5:20PM0.66m | 5:16AM0.65m | 6:09PM0.64m | 5:40AM0.80m | 7:10PM0.65m | 6:04AM0.96m | 8:30PM0.65m | 6:31AM1.11m | 10:12PM0.59m | 7:12AM1.26m | 11:41PM0.45m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — |
 | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:17 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 28 | 27 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 8 | SSW 14 | W 7 | S 13 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 601 | 635 | 604 | 113 | 330 | 96 | 168 | 184 | 119 | 114 | 195 | 174 | 248 | 156 | 203 | 196 | 211 | 497 | 448 | 427 | 532 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | S 8 | W 8 | SSW 15 | W 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | W 5 | W 6 | SSW 16 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 18 | W 6 | SW 11 | SSW 11 | W 5 |
| kJ | 28 | 11 | 152 | 417 | 63 | 261 | 178 | 168 | 118 | 101 | 50 | 18 | 21 | 171 | 30 | 37 | 276 | 51 | 133 | 107 | 13 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 8 | W 9 | S 8 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | S 13 | W 6 | SW 19 | W 5 | W 5 | W 10 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 17 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 12 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 10 |
| kJ | 21 | 7 | 11 | 34 | 50 | 123 | 38 | 14 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 80 | 132 | 59 | 184 | 115 | 33 | 156 | 38 | 25 | 50 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | W 5 | — | W 5 | W 6 | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 28 | — | — | 135 | — | — | 24 | — | — | 13 | 33 | — | 14 | 50 | — | 24 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 72 | 32 | 32 | 86 | 29 | 32 | 99 | 9 | 33 | 140 | 0 | 95 | 140 | 41 | 32 | 72 | 20 | 32 | 95 | 0 |
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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