Surf Forecasts:
Thousand Steps surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s period, SSW swell with 629 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s 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 (Aug 16) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s 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 Thousand Steps in the next 16 days are 1.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 2AM. 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+) | 5AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thousand Steps over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. I'm going to be honest: the next stretch is a bummer. We're looking at a long run of tiny, messy surf and cross-onshore winds that are going to ruin any chance of a clean wave. You might as well wax the longboard and find something else to do for a while.
The first real glimmer of hope is on Thursday, August 27th. Between now and then, it's a ten-day flat spell. The swell is minimal, the energy is weak, and the wind is junk. It's the kind of stretch where you're better off checking the tide charts than the surf reports. The conditions are just poor, plain and simple.
Okay, now let's talk about Thursday the 27th. The swell picks up to about 4ft from the south with a 13-second period, and the energy is starting to pulse (1066). Still not great, but it's something. But the real winner is Friday, August 28th. The morning sees the swell push up to around 7ft from the south-southwest. The period drops a touch, but the afternoon forecast is what gets me excited.
Thousand Steps. It's a reef break that breaks consistently, and it loves a good south swell. This is a spot that can handle some size. Now, the key here is the wind. Friday afternoon is forecast to be glassy. Complete glass. That's the golden ticket. The surf is still a solid 7ft from the SSW with a 13-second period. The energy is strong, hitting 1512, and they are calling it excellent for experienced surfers.
This is the day to mark on your calendar. It's big enough to have some serious power, but those glassy conditions will make the lineup look perfect. The water temp isn't doing anything weird, just normal for the time of year. This is a wave for the experts though. With 7ft surf, the guys on the foamies should give it a miss. For the rest of us, Thousand Steps on Friday afternoon, the 28th, is the only true standout of this whole forecast. It's a long way off, so don't start celebrating yet – long-range calls like this can change. But if it comes together, it'll be a day to remember.
Keep the faith, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 21°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 197 | 280 | 629 | 302 | 532 | 519 | 382 | 272 | 268 | 268 | 214 | 236 | 203 | 155 | 242 | 270 | 280 | 193 | 183 | 183 | 133 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:22AM1.92m | 11:02PM2.09m | 11:55AM1.96m | 11:47PM1.85m | 12:28PM1.96m | 00:37AM1.60m | 1:04PM1.93m | 1:39AM1.37m | 1:44PM1.88m | 3:28AM1.21m | 2:37PM1.83m | 3:50PM1.80m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 5:02PM0.72m | 5:32AM0.35m | 5:53PM0.72m | 6:01AM0.56m | 6:49PM0.75m | 6:27AM0.77m | 7:54PM0.79m | 6:49AM0.96m | 9:19PM0.80m | 7:04AM1.13m | 11:02PM0.75m | 00:21AM0.65m | |||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | W 7 | SSW 14 | W 7 |
| kJ | 171 | 280 | 629 | 302 | 532 | 519 | 382 | 272 | 268 | 268 | 214 | 76 | 84 | 55 | 242 | 270 | 280 | 193 | 44 | 183 | 32 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 19 | SW 14 | SSW 12 | SSW 14 | S 11 | W 5 | W 5 | S 10 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 14 | W 7 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 197 | 169 | 52 | 125 | 21 | 21 | 14 | 8 | 31 | 37 | 32 | 236 | 203 | 155 | 22 | 44 | 30 | 39 | 183 | 31 | 133 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSW 11 | W 11 | S 11 | W 11 | S 11 | S 11 | W 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 9 | SW 20 | W 14 | SW 18 | SW 19 | SW 19 | S 10 |
| kJ | 35 | 38 | 2 | 39 | 2 | 20 | 20 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 67 | 67 | 15 | 16 | 4 | 12 | 57 | 14 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WNW 5 | W 5 | — | — | W 5 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | — | — | 20 | — | — | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 70 | 104 | 7 | 104 | 104 | 7 | 104 | 104 | 7 | 104 | 104 | 3 | 0 | 104 | 7 | 70 | 104 | 39 | 70 | 104 | 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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