Surf Forecasts:
The Wedge surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SSW swell with 310 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Wedge this week:
The surf forecast for The Wedge over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Wedge in the next 16 days are 0.8m 16s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Wedge over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on the table for the Wedge. The water is running 72°, which is a solid 5° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s pretty notable, so the ocean is feeling more like a bath than the typical August chill.
Right now, and through the rest of this week, it’s looking pretty quiet. The first few days are offering up some small, weak south-southwest swell, but the energy is just not there. Monday morning has a tiny 3ft swell from the SSW with a long 14-second period, but it’s cross-shore and the combined energy is only 301 (moderate), and the conditions are described as marginal. Honestly, it’s not worth paddling out for. That trend continues through Tuesday and Wednesday with even smaller swells and cross-onshore winds, so don't expect much. The energy stays weak, and the comments are all about poor surf or marginal tide issues.
We hit a real dry spell from Thursday, the 20th of August, right through to Sunday, the 23rd. All onshore wind, small waves, and the combined energy drops to weak levels (150–312). It’s a proper flat spell. Even Sunday has a 1ft swell from the SW with a very long 19-second period, but it’s blowing straight onshore, making it a complete mess. That kind of long-period groundswell is best for points or reefs, but with those winds, the Wedge is just a crumbly, blown-out wall.
The following week from Monday the 24th to Friday the 28th is more of the same – small, weak swells, mostly cross-shore or onshore winds, and the wave energy stays in the weak to low-moderate range. A few morning sessions on the 24th and 25th show a slight glimmer with a 2ft SW swell and light cross-shore breezes, but it’s still marginal. The Wedge is a breakwater wave that needs a proper push, and it’s just not getting it.
Now, hold on to your board shorts, because the end of the run is where it gets interesting. Saturday the 29th of August sees a jump in the combined swell energy to 561 – that’s strong energy (561) – with a 3ft swell from the SSW at a 17-second period. But the wind is a solid onshore southerly at 9 mph. That’s a shame, because the raw power is there, but it’s going to be choppy and blown out. By Sunday the 30th, the energy is still strong at 554, with the swell holding at 3ft and a 16-second period. The wind switches to a light SSW cross-onshore, which is an improvement. This is the one standout in the whole forecast. It’s still not perfect, but for this stretch, that Sunday morning is the best you’re going to get. The crowd factor is "often" here, so expect company. After that, Monday and Tuesday of September just fade back into poor conditions.
So here’s the bottom line: if you’re jonesing for a wave, the window is Sunday the 30th of August morning. It’s not a classic Wedge day, but it’s the only real pulse in a long, flat run. For the rest of it, you’re better off leaving the board in the car.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 20°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 22°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
268 | 268 | 261 | 203 | 181 | 242 | 270 | 280 | 196 | 183 | 186 | 175 | 101 | 99 | 98 | 63 | 120 | 165 | 127 | 112 | 210 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 1:07PM1.55m | 1:37AM1.05m | 1:48PM1.50m | 3:20AM0.88m | 2:43PM1.45m | 3:58PM1.43m | 8:42AM1.01m | 5:18PM1.47m | 8:36AM1.08m | 6:20PM1.55m | 8:47AM1.14m | 7:07PM1.65m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 7:52PM0.45m | 6:52AM0.60m | 9:20PM0.46m | 7:06AM0.77m | 11:08PM0.41m | 00:28AM0.29m | 10:22AM1.01m | 1:20AM0.18m | 12:13PM0.97m | 1:57AM0.08m | 1:03PM0.88m | 2:28AM0.01m | |||||||||
6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 |
Feels °C | 23 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 |
268 | 268 | 47 | 41 | 41 | 242 | 270 | 280 | 196 | 183 | 186 | 175 | 101 | 99 | 98 | 63 | 120 | 165 | 99 | 98 | 210 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 6 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
25 | 32 | 261 | 203 | 181 | 39 | 42 | 19 | 11 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 81 | 49 | 51 | 42 | 55 | 58 | 127 | 112 | 155 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 9 | SW 20 | S 9 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 10 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 12 | W 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 10 |
8 | 8 | 2 | 67 | 66 | 2 | 16 | 1 | 12 | 57 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 49 | 60 | 27 | 6 | 86 | 50 | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 5 | W 4 |
— | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 5 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 119 | 119 | 7 | 53 | 94 | 0 | 53 | 119 | 0 | 53 | 53 | 21 | 53 | 171 | 0 | 54 | 116 | 0 | 53 | 53 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Wedge Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Wedge provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Wedge can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Wedge 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 (The Wedge) 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 The Wedge 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.
The Wedge is 5 km (3 miles) from the city of Newport Beach. If you plan a vacation in Orange County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Newport Beach. Newport Beach has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











