
Surf Forecasts:
The Wedge surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 16s period, S swell with 1,257 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 19s period with SW 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s is also forecast. 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 1.6m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 19s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Wedge over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a good look at what’s coming up for The Wedge. It’s a bit of a slow burn, so don’t expect much in the way of fireworks for a while. The water is sitting at 69°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a nice little bonus if you’re getting in.
We’re starting off quiet. The first few days, Thursday through to Saturday, are basically a write-off. The swell is tiny, around 1ft to 2ft, and the wind is blowing straight onshore. The wave energy is weak to moderate (128 to 331), and the conditions are just poor. Honestly, it’s not worth paddling out. You’ll just be bobbing around.
Sunday the 19th sees a little lift. We’ve got a 4ft to 4ft swell from the south, with a period of 13 to 14 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, which is good for shape, but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s going to be a bit choppy and messy. The combined energy is moderate to strong (909 to 1141), but it’s still only marginal. Not a standout.
Monday the 20th morning is the first real sign of life. The swell drops to 4ft from the south, but the wind swings onshore, and the period is 12 seconds. The energy is moderate (688). It’s still only a marginal call, but it’s the cleanest we’ve seen. Still, nothing to write home about.
The real highlight, and the only one I’d get excited about, is Friday the 24th. The morning sees a 5ft south swell with a 13-second period and clean onshore wind. The combined energy jumps to a strong 1262. That’s the biggest swell of the period, and while it’s not huge, the wind is straight onshore, which keeps it clean. It’s still a marginal call, but for an advanced spot like The Wedge, 5ft with clean conditions is the best you’ll get. The afternoon drops off, so get it in the morning.
After that, Saturday the 25th has a long-period groundswell (21 seconds) at 3ft, and the combined energy is strong (1111), but the wind is cross-onshore. That long period means the waves will be fat and likely breaking straight at a beach break, so it’s not ideal for The Wedge. Sunday the 26th through Tuesday the 28th have consistent 3ft to 4ft south-west swells with cross to cross-onshore winds. The energy stays moderate to strong (735 to 915), but it’s all marginal. Not a proper standout.
From Wednesday the 29th to the end of the month, the swell drops back to 2ft to 3ft, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore. The energy is weak to moderate (358 to 693). The conditions are poor to marginal. The last day, Friday the 31st, has a small 2ft to 3ft south-southwest swell with light cross-onshore winds, but it’s strictly for the optimists.
Bottom line: the best morning of the whole 16-day window is Friday the 24th. Get that 5ft south swell with the clean onshore wind. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only time the energy and size line up. The rest is either too small, too windy, or just plain messy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue morning, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 11 | SW 17 | S 13 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 15 | S 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
88 | 126 | 130 | 74 | 77 | 246 | 255 | 85 | 232 | 463 | 353 | 784 | 871 | 384 | 392 | 358 | 362 | 334 | 551 | 1257 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:20PM1.89m | 12:52PM1.39m | 00:09AM1.66m | 1:35PM1.43m | 1:01AM1.40m | 2:21PM1.46m | 2:05AM1.13m | 3:10PM1.48m | 3:36AM0.93m | 4:03PM1.50m | 5:49AM0.85m | 4:58PM1.53m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:15PM0.55m | 6:20AM-0.22m | 6:13PM0.55m | 6:57AM-0.02m | 7:18PM0.57m | 7:33AM0.19m | 8:37PM0.57m | 8:09AM0.40m | 10:11PM0.52m | 8:47AM0.59m | 11:45PM0.39m | 9:36AM0.75m | 00:55AM0.25m | |||||||
— | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | |
8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 11 | S 12 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 15 | S 16 |
44 | 16 | 24 | 14 | 77 | 246 | 255 | 85 | 171 | 463 | 278 | 784 | 871 | 384 | 392 | 358 | 362 | 334 | 551 | 1257 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 14 | WSW 6 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 15 | W 5 | SSW 20 | SSW 16 | SSW 10 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | SSE 14 | SSW 14 | WSW 6 |
88 | 77 | 130 | 74 | 13 | 43 | 70 | 65 | 232 | 346 | 353 | 5 | 75 | 298 | 102 | 64 | 55 | 207 | 264 | 48 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | S 12 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 13 | S 14 | W 6 | W 5 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SW 12 | SW 11 | S 15 | S 17 | SW 7 | SSW 14 |
27 | 126 | 54 | 51 | 25 | 15 | 7 | 27 | 132 | 6 | 8 | 20 | 19 | 38 | 50 | 42 | 110 | 212 | 18 | 178 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 3 | — | SSE 3 | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | W 4 | — | W 4 | W 4 | W 4 | W 4 | — |
1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | — | 3 | 7 | 5 | 16 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 53 | 53 | 12 | 53 | 53 | 11 | 53 | 53 | 54 | 53 | 116 | 26 | 53 | 119 | 0 | 60 | 119 | 24 | 119 | 119 |
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.










