
Surf Forecasts:
Thousand Steps surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, S swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 30 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period, S swell with 585 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 14s period with S 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 Friday (Jul 31) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m 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 1.2m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 30) at 8PM. 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 (Fri 31st Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Thu 30th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Thousand Steps over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty.
Look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. The next 16 days are a long, flat, frustrating stretch for Thousand Steps (Thousand-Steps). We’ve got a very consistent reef break here, exposed to the SW, but the swell is just not cooperating. The water is sitting at a very unusual 73°F—much warmer than normal for this time of year—but that’s the only thing that’s out of the ordinary, and not in a good way.
We start off on Thursday, 30th July, with a glimpse of something. Thursday morning brings a 4ft swell from the S, with a short period of 14 seconds, and the combined energy is moderate at 730. But the wind is cross-on from the WSW at 6 mph, messing up the surface. The conditions are described as ‘marginal,’ and honestly, it’s a tough call to paddle out for that. The afternoon drops to 3ft, and the wind goes straight onshore. It’s not good.
From Friday, 31st July, through the entire first week of August, it’s a slow bleed. Swell heights hover between 1ft and 4ft, periods are all over the place, but the wind is almost always a light cross-onshore breeze. The energy drops from a moderate 501 on Friday morning to a weak 94 by Monday, 3rd August. The surf reports are all ‘poor surf conditions’ or ‘marginal.’ Honestly, there’s nothing worth chasing.
There’s a tiny spike of long-period energy on Friday, 7th August, with a 19-second period and moderate energy of 420, but the swell is only 2ft and the wind is a gentle cross-onshore breeze. That might offer a few clean, long walls for a very patient surfer on a log, but it’s a stretch.
The rest of the outlook into mid-August stays the same: tiny swell, crossed-up winds, and poor quality. The combined energy rarely breaks 400, and most days it’s in the low 100s or even under 100. This is a blank run for a spot that can be very consistent. It’s painful, but it happens. The forecasts can change, but for now, save your energy.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | S 13 | S 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
682 | 387 | 305 | 480 | 290 | 189 | 198 | 189 | 84 | 75 | 49 | 47 | 42 | 66 | 41 | 84 | 77 | 75 | 72 | 71 | 97 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:11AM1.63m | 10:12PM2.18m | 11:37AM1.68m | 10:45PM2.07m | 12:03PM1.73m | 11:21PM1.91m | 12:31PM1.79m | 00:02AM1.72m | 1:03PM1.85m | 00:53AM1.51m | 1:42PM1.90m | 2:11AM1.31m | 2:33PM1.95m | 4:27AM1.19m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:06PM1.00m | 5:11AM0.27m | 4:45PM0.97m | 5:36AM0.36m | 5:29PM0.95m | 6:00AM0.49m | 6:19PM0.93m | 6:24AM0.63m | 7:21PM0.91m | 6:50AM0.78m | 8:41PM0.85m | 7:21AM0.94m | 10:19PM0.74m | ||||||||
6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
— | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | S 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 10 | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 |
682 | 387 | 305 | 480 | 290 | 189 | 198 | 189 | 55 | 32 | 23 | 19 | 29 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 72 | 71 | 97 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | S 13 | S 13 | W 6 | S 10 | S 10 | W 7 | W 7 | S 13 | S 12 | SSW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | W 6 | SSW 12 | W 6 |
18 | 212 | 206 | 21 | 46 | 47 | 33 | 21 | 84 | 75 | 49 | 44 | 42 | 43 | 39 | 84 | 77 | 75 | 6 | 13 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | W 6 | W 5 | — | W 6 | W 5 | S 9 | SW 14 | WSW 6 | SSW 9 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | S 9 | S 9 |
30 | 9 | 5 | — | 11 | 8 | 25 | 49 | 12 | 26 | 46 | 47 | 23 | 66 | 41 | 38 | 22 | 42 | 16 | 6 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 104 | 104 | 7 | 104 | 104 | 5 | 70 | 133 | 13 | 70 | 104 | 13 | 70 | 104 | 10 | 70 | 187 | 0 | 70 | 104 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Orange County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











