Surf Forecasts:
Thousand Steps surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 18s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 16 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 18s period, SSW swell with 348 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s is also forecast. 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 0.8m 18s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 18s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thousand Steps over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Yo, Rusty here. Let’s talk Thousand Steps.
Looking down the barrel, it's a quiet spell ahead. There's some swell in the water – the combined energy runs from moderate to pretty chunky (between 159 and 475) – but the wind is gonna be a real headache. Mostly cross-onshore and cross-shore breezes will keep things choppy and messy, meaning the waves are gonna be tough to enjoy. The water’s sitting at about 71°, which is a touch warmer than normal for the season.
From Saturday the 12th of September right through the rest of the month, it’s mostly “poor” or “marginal” across the board. No real standout days here. There’s some nice long-period SW groundswell energy in the mix – periods between 14 and 20 seconds – which would usually mean good shape and push, but the wind just spoils it.
Your best bet, if you're keen, is to look at the Saturday the 19th of September morning and the Sunday the 20th of September afternoon. Those times show the lightest winds – nearly glassy or light offshore. The swell will be tiny, around 2ft to 3ft from the SW, with a long 18-second period. The combined energy behind it will be solid (395 and 475), so there might be a bit more grunt than the height suggests. It’s a long-period groundswell, so at this reef setup, it could produce a cleaner, more lined-up wave. Still, it’s a long shot.
Into the second week, from the 22nd onward, it’s more of the same: cross-onshore wind and small, wind-affected surf. Not much to write home about. Keep your expectations low, but forecasts can always change. I’ll be watching.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | W 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 20 | SW 16 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 19 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 169 | 136 | 97 | 89 | 87 | 138 | 108 | 108 | 147 | 127 | 127 | 87 | 348 | 249 | 291 | 220 | 191 | 242 | 236 | 236 | 183 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:31AM2.09m | 10:48PM1.88m | 10:59AM2.09m | 11:33PM1.68m | 11:26AM2.06m | 00:22AM1.49m | 11:56AM1.99m | 1:27AM1.32m | 12:30PM1.90m | 4:01AM1.22m | 1:16PM1.80m | 2:38PM1.72m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 4:46PM0.49m | 4:43AM0.61m | 5:30PM0.51m | 5:06AM0.80m | 6:17PM0.56m | 5:26AM0.96m | 7:12PM0.64m | 5:39AM1.11m | 8:26PM0.71m | 5:03AM1.22m | 10:08PM0.73m | 11:37PM0.66m | |||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — |
 | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 6:59 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:55 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:52 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SSW 14 | W 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | WSW 6 | W 6 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 19 | W 6 |
| kJ | 169 | 136 | 36 | 58 | 44 | 138 | 87 | 38 | 28 | 18 | 41 | 21 | 348 | 249 | 291 | 220 | 191 | 242 | 118 | 236 | 48 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 5 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 6 | S 10 | S 10 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | SW 19 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 24 | 15 | 97 | 89 | 87 | 44 | 108 | 108 | 147 | 127 | 88 | 87 | 6 | 31 | 46 | 48 | 47 | 36 | 236 | 104 | 101 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 8 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | S 10 | W 5 | SSW 13 | SSW 9 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SSW 11 | S 10 | SW 19 |
| kJ | 16 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 58 | 129 | 44 | 40 | 38 | 23 | 127 | 69 | 17 | 5 | 64 | 26 | 116 | 111 | 23 | 35 | 183 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 5 | W 3 | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 19 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 70 | 104 | 14 | 70 | 104 | 48 | 70 | 70 | 22 | 70 | 70 | 0 | 70 | 104 | 0 | 104 | 104 | 7 | 104 | 104 | 0 |
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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