Surf Forecasts:
Thousand Steps surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 18s period, SSW swell with 751 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m 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 1.1m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thousand Steps over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Imperial
Alright, let’s be straight with you: the first week or so is pretty grim. We’ve got a real slow start with only small, weak, and onshore-slanted swell. The water is sitting at a very warm 73° – that’s nearly 5° warmer than usual for this time of year, which is a pretty wild anomaly. We’ll be waiting through a run of marginal-to-poor mornings and afternoons.
The first real glimmer of something worth paddling out for shows up on Saturday, August 29th. The morning at Thousand Steps will see a 3ft SSW swell with a moderate 17-second period. That’s classic groundswell energy, which is a good sign for a reef setup like this – it’ll hold shape, and those long gaps between sets make paddling out easier. The wind is a light cross-on from the WSW, which is not ideal but not a deal-breaker either. The combined swell energy is moderate at 595, and conditions are still only marginal – but it’s the best we’ve seen in a while.
Now, the real standout is way out there, so mark your calendar. Thursday, September 4th brings a solid pulse. The morning has a 4ft SSW swell with a long 18-second period, and the combined energy jumps to a strong 917. The wind is light from the WSW, keeping things clean. The afternoon holds similar size and even stronger energy at 1074, though the wind will swing to a cross-on from the W and get a bit stronger. For the reef at Thousand Steps, this is the pick of the whole 16-day window. The swell direction (SSW) is a solid match for the optimum SW direction this spot loves. The water will still be unusually warm, so a spring suit might be enough.
That Thursday morning (Sep 4th) is the one to target. The energy is strong, the period is long, and the wind is manageable. Just know that crowds can pop up here sometimes, so get in early. Friday the 5th also holds decent 3ft–4ft SSW swell, but the wind is a bit more onshore, so Thursday is your golden ticket.
For the rest of the run, it’s a lot of 1ft to 4ft stuff with cross-on winds and choppy conditions. The 4ft spike on Tuesday, September 1st is let down by a shorter 12-second period and poor wind, so it’s not worth the effort. And after that Thursday peak, the weekend of the 6th–7th fades back into poor, onshore slop.
Keep your eyes on that Thursday, September 4th. That’s where the magic is.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue afternoon, min 23°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 22°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 19 | SW 18 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 127 | 112 | 213 | 163 | 142 | 224 | 216 | 127 | 225 | 339 | 322 | 400 | 303 | 277 | 178 | 302 | 212 | 582 | 550 | 590 | 561 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:44AM1.49m | 6:57PM2.01m | 9:00AM1.55m | 7:36PM2.10m | 9:18AM1.61m | 8:12PM2.17m | 9:37AM1.67m | 8:46PM2.19m | 9:58AM1.75m | 9:20PM2.17m | 10:19AM1.82m | 9:55PM2.09m | 10:42AM1.90m | 10:32PM1.96m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:53PM1.24m | 2:20AM0.34m | 1:32PM1.15m | 2:48AM0.27m | 2:07PM1.05m | 3:14AM0.24m | 2:42PM0.94m | 3:38AM0.25m | 3:17PM0.85m | 4:02AM0.29m | 3:54PM0.77m | 4:26AM0.38m | 4:33PM0.70m | 4:49AM0.50m | |||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — |
 | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:25 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:20 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 10 | S 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 27 | 98 | 213 | 163 | 142 | 224 | 216 | 117 | 225 | 339 | 322 | 400 | 303 | 277 | 178 | 117 | 81 | 582 | 550 | 590 | 561 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 16 | SSE 11 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 15 | W 6 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | S 8 | W 7 | W 10 | W 8 |
| kJ | 99 | 112 | 155 | 154 | 50 | 126 | 87 | 127 | 97 | 29 | 121 | 106 | 21 | 73 | 151 | 302 | 212 | 51 | 24 | 45 | 71 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | SSW 16 | WSW 5 | W 6 | S 14 | W 5 | W 6 | S 13 | W 6 | SW 16 | W 6 | W 8 | SW 14 | W 8 | W 11 | W 8 | SW 14 | W 10 | S 8 | S 9 | SSW 8 |
| kJ | 127 | 50 | 7 | 16 | 66 | 13 | 16 | 87 | 27 | 203 | 19 | 20 | 103 | 20 | 37 | 20 | 89 | 51 | 21 | 25 | 23 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 | — |
| kJ | — | 10 | — | — | 9 | — | — | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 39 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 104 | 104 | 0 | 104 | 187 | 7 | 104 | 7 | 9 | 70 | 70 | 2 | 70 | 70 | 0 | 70 | 104 | 0 | 70 | 7 | 13 |
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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