Surf Forecasts:
Thousand Steps surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 17s 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★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 18s period with SW 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 18s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 12s. 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 glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 18s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 17s |
| 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, Rusty here again. Let’s call it like it is – this 16-day run is a total dud. The only spot in the mix is Thousand Steps, a reef break that’s very consistent and open to the SW. Water temp is about normal for the season.
We start on Wednesday, August 12th. The swell is tiny at 2ft from the SW with a long 17-second period, but the combined energy is only 198 – weak. Wind is light WSW, blowing straight onshore, so it’s a mess. Thursday, August 13th, is the same: 2ft SW swell, 16-second period, light onshore wind, poor conditions. Friday, August 14th, the swell stays at 2ft from the SSW, period jumps to 19 seconds, but the wind is light and onshore, and energy is 403 – moderate, but the wind kills it. Saturday, August 15th, the swell picks up to 3ft SSW, 16-second period, but the wind is a cross-onshore 15 km/h, so it’s choppy. Energy is 435, still moderate. Sunday, August 16th, the swell is 3ft, but cross-onshore wind again, energy 436. Nothing to ride.
From Monday, August 17th, through to Thursday, August 27th, it’s all small – 1ft to 3ft – with cross-onshore winds and light to moderate breezes. Energy stays in the 200–400 range, weak to moderate. A few mornings get a “marginal” tag with light onshore wind, but it’s not clean, and the swell is too small. Crowds are possible at Thousand Steps, but nobody’s going to be out there.
The best of it? Saturday, August 15th, when the swell hits 3ft in the afternoon with a 16-second period and onshore wind, energy 561 – moderate – but still poor. Not a standout. The whole 16 days is a bust for surfing. For kite action, maybe, but for paddle surfing, you’re better off staying home.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 207 | 143 | 208 | 206 | 201 | 248 | 239 | 197 | 280 | 629 | 302 | 532 | 519 | 419 | 372 | 330 | 268 | 264 | 261 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:47PM2.49m | 10:15AM1.79m | 9:33PM2.43m | 10:48AM1.87m | 10:18PM2.29m | 11:22AM1.92m | 11:02PM2.09m | 11:55AM1.96m | 11:47PM1.85m | 12:28PM1.96m | 00:37AM1.60m | 1:04PM1.93m | 1:39AM1.37m | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:51AM-0.05m | 3:25PM0.83m | 4:27AM0.03m | 4:13PM0.75m | 5:00AM0.17m | 5:02PM0.72m | 5:32AM0.35m | 5:53PM0.72m | 6:01AM0.56m | 6:49PM0.75m | 6:27AM0.77m | 7:54PM0.79m | |||||||
 |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 6 |
| kJ | 207 | 143 | 208 | 206 | 201 | 248 | 239 | 171 | 280 | 629 | 302 | 532 | 519 | 419 | 372 | 330 | 268 | 264 | 47 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | SSW 11 | S 12 | SSW 19 | SW 14 | W 4 | SSW 14 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 18 | SSW 14 |
| kJ | 28 | 27 | 48 | 47 | 63 | 43 | 42 | 197 | 169 | 9 | 125 | 8 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 32 | 261 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 4 | SW 13 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | SSW 22 | SSW 20 | S 10 | W 12 | S 12 | W 5 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | S 10 | S 10 |
| kJ | 2 | 27 | 33 | 29 | 23 | 45 | 151 | 35 | 3 | 41 | 8 | 21 | 20 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 4 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | SSW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | W 5 | WNW 6 |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | 79 | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 17 | 14 | 28 | 62 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 104 | 104 | 7 | 70 | 104 | 0 | 104 | 133 | 0 | 104 | 104 | 82 | 104 | 104 | 0 | 104 | 104 | 5 |
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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