
Surf Forecasts:
Thousand Steps surf forecast from 12 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 12 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 16s period, S swell with 496 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 12 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 14s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Thousand Steps this week:
The surf forecast for Thousand Steps over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 12) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 18s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Thousand Steps in the next 16 days are 1.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 11PM. 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+) | 2AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 12th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thousand Steps over the next 16 days.
Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down what's happening at Thousand Steps.
Well, mates, it's a slow start. The first few days are looking pretty grim, with hardly any decent surf and a lot of poor conditions. The swell is small and the wind is constantly messing things up. You'll be waiting a while before anything really gets interesting.
Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th are a write-off, with tiny 3ft to 3ft swell from the SSW and cross-on winds. The water is at 67°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so the anomaly is nothing to write home about. The energy is weak (271-367), and the wave comment is just "poor surf conditions." Not worth getting wet.
We scrape through a few days from Monday the 13th to Thursday the 17th. The swell stays small, between 1ft and 3ft, and the wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, even if it's light. The wave energy is weak to moderate (149-321), but the comments are either "poor" or "marginal." It's a lot of effort for very little reward.
Then, finally, a little glimmer. Saturday the 18th afternoon. The wind goes glassy, SW, and the swell is a clean 2ft from the SW with a long 18-second period. The combined energy jumps to 495 (moderate), and the wave comment is "expect good surf conditions." That's your first real chance. The long period will make the waves feel more powerful, but it could make them a bit walled at a beach break; this is a reef, so that long period groundswell will wrap in nicely.
After that, it's back to mediocrity. A few days of 2ft to 3ft swell with cross-on winds and marginal conditions. The best of the rest is probably Thursday the 23rd afternoon. The wind goes glassy again, NW, with a 2ft swell from the SSW. The energy is low (212), but that glassy surface will make it fun for a longboard or a fish.
Looking further out, the last week of the month has some promise. On Saturday the 25th morning, we see a 3ft SW swell with a very long 21-second period and a massive energy reading of 714 (strong). The wind is light and onshore, but with that much energy behind it, it would be a serious session at this reef. The 26th also shows a similar 3ft SSW swell (19 seconds, 710 energy). These are the standouts in the second week, but they're a long way off and the conditions are "marginal," so keep your fingers crossed.
Overall, the first week is a bust. The 18th afternoon is the best early bet, and the 25th and 26th are the ones to mark on the calendar for a potential solid session.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 18°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 22°C on Tue afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sat 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 8 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
259 | 210 | 297 | 330 | 273 | 253 | 257 | 149 | 119 | 123 | 152 | 77 | 96 | 94 | 89 | 88 | 91 | 130 | 74 | 76 | 246 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:08PM2.42m | 9:20AM1.52m | 8:01PM2.53m | 10:05AM1.59m | 8:52PM2.58m | 10:47AM1.65m | 9:42PM2.56m | 11:28AM1.71m | 10:30PM2.45m | 12:10PM1.76m | 11:19PM2.26m | 12:51PM1.80m | 00:08AM2.01m | 1:34PM1.84m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:42AM0.00m | 1:35PM1.09m | 3:29AM-0.11m | 2:32PM1.04m | 4:14AM-0.16m | 3:26PM0.99m | 4:57AM-0.12m | 4:20PM0.95m | 5:38AM-0.01m | 5:15PM0.94m | 6:17AM0.16m | 6:15PM0.94m | 6:55AM0.36m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | |
8:02 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 8:00 | — | 8:00 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 11 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 15 | SW 18 |
259 | 210 | 297 | 330 | 273 | 253 | 257 | 149 | 119 | 123 | 96 | 46 | 44 | 94 | 89 | 53 | 85 | 27 | 24 | 76 | 246 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | SSW 18 | S 18 | SW 21 | S 16 | SW 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 19 | SW 14 | W 6 | W 6 |
5 | 102 | 25 | 18 | 46 | 18 | 59 | 96 | 57 | 111 | 152 | 65 | 50 | 90 | 64 | 88 | 77 | 130 | 74 | 12 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 20 | W 5 | W 5 | W 17 | W 3 | W 15 | W 15 | S 12 | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | SW 14 | SW 18 | S 11 | SSE 15 |
7 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 25 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 77 | 96 | 49 | 28 | 27 | 91 | 54 | 51 | 22 | 42 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 70 | 0 | 153 | 104 | 0 | 104 | 104 | 65 | 70 | 104 | 9 | 70 | 104 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 19 | 70 | 70 | 39 | 70 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Thousand Steps Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Thousand Steps provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Thousand Steps can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Thousand Steps 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 (Thousand Steps) 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 Thousand Steps 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.
Thousand Steps is 4 km (2 miles) from Laguna Niguel. If you plan a vacation in Orange County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Laguna Niguel. Laguna Niguel has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











