Surf Forecasts:
Thousand Steps surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 13s period, S swell with 1,021 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 13s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 13s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 11s. 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 1.7m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thousand Steps over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty. Let me paint you a picture of Thousand Steps over the next couple of weeks. This reef setup is exposed to the SW, and right now it’s mostly a waiting game, but there’s one golden window that’s got me buzzing.
The water is real warm – about 77°, which is a full 10° above the long-term average for this time of year. Proper tropical vibes.
From now until the 5th of September, it’s flat or junky. Wave heights are 2ft to 4ft, with periods from 11 to 16 seconds, but combined energy is only moderate (between 204 and 878). Winds are either onshore or cross-onshore, and every call is “poor” or “marginal.” Nothing to get excited about.
But Sunday, 6th September afternoon flips the script. The wind goes glassy out of the NNE, the swell builds to 5ft from the S at 14 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 1009 – strong. The report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s the one. The direction is S, and the break prefers SW, but with those clean, glassy conditions and solid energy, it’s going to line up nicely. At 5ft, it’s expert territory.
Monday morning the 7th still has some size – 6ft (1029 energy) – but the cross-shore winds stir things up. Monday afternoon cleans up with a cross-off breeze and 5ft (859 energy). Still good, but the Sunday glass-off is the true standout.
After that, the plug gets pulled. From Tuesday the 8th onward, it’s all small and messy: 1ft to 4ft, cross-on winds, and combined energy dropping to between 123 and 488. “Poor” conditions across the board for over a week.
If you’re an experienced surfer, mark Sunday afternoon, 6th September. That’s where the magic is.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | ||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 11 | W 6 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 14 | S 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 184 | 156 | 99 | 83 | 65 | 132 | 127 | 197 | 118 | 408 | 497 | 448 | 566 | 532 | 512 | 467 | 609 | 673 | 960 | 905 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | on | on | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:59PM1.59m | 12:08PM2.03m | 1:01AM1.39m | 12:51PM2.03m | 2:44AM1.23m | 1:50PM2.00m | 6:09AM1.25m | 3:15PM1.99m | 7:14AM1.38m | 4:47PM2.04m | 7:43AM1.51m | 6:02PM2.15m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:05PM0.64m | 5:36AM0.79m | 7:06PM0.65m | 6:00AM0.95m | 8:27PM0.65m | 6:26AM1.10m | 10:09PM0.59m | 7:03AM1.25m | 11:39PM0.45m | 10:02AM1.32m | 00:41AM0.30m | 11:50AM1.24m | 1:29AM0.17m | |||||||
 |  | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | |  |  | |
 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | 7:17 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:14 | — | — | 7:12 | — | — | 7:10 | — | — | 7:09 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 23 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | W 6 | W 6 | SSW 12 | W 7 | W 6 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | S 14 | S 13 |
| kJ | 184 | 119 | 83 | 83 | 30 | 24 | 107 | 88 | 67 | 408 | 497 | 448 | 566 | 532 | 512 | 467 | 609 | 673 | 960 | 905 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 6 | SSW 13 | S 10 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | WSW 10 | — |
| kJ | 166 | 156 | 22 | 67 | 47 | 95 | 127 | 147 | 104 | 33 | 51 | 53 | 70 | 261 | 170 | 387 | 382 | 201 | 18 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 19 | W 5 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | W 6 | SSW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | SW 10 | W 5 | W 6 | SW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 12 | — |
| kJ | 14 | 17 | 99 | 50 | 65 | 132 | 16 | 197 | 118 | 60 | 38 | 39 | 25 | 13 | 18 | 15 | 37 | 19 | 3 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 5 | — | W 6 | W 6 | — | W 6 | W 7 | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | W 10 | W 4 |
| kJ | 23 | 24 | — | 23 | 50 | — | 31 | 126 | — | 43 | — | — | 24 | — | — | 9 | — | — | 28 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 104 | 2 | 70 | 104 | 0 | 70 | 104 | 7 | 70 | 133 | 2 | 70 | 104 | 0 | 70 | 104 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
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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