Surf Forecasts:
Thousand Steps surf forecast from 6 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 6 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 7 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with 666 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 6 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 17s 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 Monday (Jul 06) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 17s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. 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 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 07) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 6th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 17s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Tue 7th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thousand Steps over the next 16 days.
Updates in hr min s Forecast update imminent
G’day, it’s Rusty. Look, I’ll be straight with you—this 16-day window for Thousand Steps is a tough one. There’s not a single standout session that’ll have you calling in sick. The first proper surf recommendation doesn’t kick in until Sunday the 5th of July, with a small SSW swell around 2ft, but the wind is cross-on from the west, and the wave comment says “poor surf conditions.” It’s a real struggle. The combined swell energy is moderate (365), but the clean lines just aren’t there.
The water’s running at 68°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year—nothing crazy, just a little extra warmth.
From there, we roll through the week. Monday, the 6th, has a bit more size at 2ft, but the wind is still on or cross-on, and the energy picks up a bit (429–520), but the surf is still marginal at best. Tuesday the 7th sees a bump to 3ft from the SSW with a long 18-second period, but the wind is cross-on, and the wave comment is still marginal. The energy is moderate (728), but it’s not clean enough to get excited about. This pattern holds through Wednesday the 8th and Thursday the 9th—small, cross-on, and only marginal.
Friday the 10th through Sunday the 12th drops off even more, with swell around 3ft–3ft, poor surf conditions, and energy dropping into the 290–360 range. The wind doesn’t give you a break. The best you’ll see is a light onshore from the SW on Sunday the 12th, but it’s still only marginal.
From there, it’s a long stretch of poor surf from the 13th of July right through to the 20th. Swell keeps dropping to 1ft–2ft, the period shortens, and the energy is weak (159–335). The wind is mostly cross-on, and the wave comments are all “poor surf conditions” or “marginal.” There’s a little blip on the 16th of July with a 3ft west swell, but it’s only 8-second period—short and choppy—and the wind is cross-on. Not worth paddling out for.
No standouts here, folks. If you’re desperate, the morning of Tuesday the 7th of July has the best size (3ft, SSW, 18s) and moderate energy (728), but with cross-on wind, it’s a gamble. The whole window is a write-off for any real quality. It’s one of those periods where the forecast can change, but right now, you’re better off waiting for the next system.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sun 5 | Monday 6 | Tuesday 7 | Wednesday 8 | Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 20 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 207 | 459 | 226 | 226 | 432 | 666 | 497 | 356 | 512 | 505 | 524 | 422 | 402 | 362 | 270 | 309 | 305 | 318 | 270 | 210 | 297 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on |
High Tide | 2:14PM1.67m | 1:05AM1.62m | 2:52PM1.76m | 2:18AM1.43m | 3:35PM1.87m | 4:04AM1.29m | 4:25PM2.00m | 6:00AM1.27m | 5:18PM2.14m | 7:29AM1.34m | 6:13PM2.28m | 8:31AM1.43m | 7:08PM2.42m | 9:20AM1.52m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:44PM1.15m | 7:51AM0.66m | 9:09PM1.06m | 8:27AM0.79m | 10:40PM0.89m | 9:14AM0.93m | 11:57PM0.66m | 10:15AM1.04m | 00:59AM0.41m | 11:25AM1.11m | 1:52AM0.18m | 12:34PM1.12m | 2:42AM0.00m | 1:35PM1.09m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | |  | |
 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 |
 | 8:04 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:02 | — | 8:01 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | W 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 207 | 459 | 226 | 226 | 65 | 666 | 497 | 126 | 512 | 505 | 116 | 422 | 402 | 362 | 270 | 309 | 305 | 318 | 270 | 210 | 297 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | W 5 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 16 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 18 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 17 | W 7 | W 10 | W 8 | W 7 | W 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SSW 18 | W 5 |
| kJ | 99 | 17 | 23 | 25 | 318 | 60 | 43 | 356 | 85 | 35 | 524 | 54 | 78 | 58 | 37 | 30 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 102 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 24 | SW 22 | SSW 21 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SW 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | S 20 | W 10 | — | WNW 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSE 11 | S 21 | SSE 9 | S 20 | S 20 | WSW 6 | S 18 |
| kJ | 54 | 119 | 180 | 223 | 432 | 2 | 144 | 140 | 67 | 16 | — | 33 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 30 | 7 | 6 | 25 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | — | — | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 104 | 0 | 70 | 104 | 10 | 70 | 104 | 2 | 70 | 104 | 39 | 70 | 70 | 48 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 19 | 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.
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