Swell Intel

17th St. Surf Forecast, Orange County, California

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Orange County, California

17th St. surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor
Wave Height
1-2ft
ankle to knee high
Swell Period
15.4s
Wind
2mph
W / Gusts 4mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
1.1ft @ 6sW
Secondary
0.9ft @ 13sSSW
Tertiary
0.7ft @ 16sSSW

17th St. 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at 17th St., Orange County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.

Sat, May 16: 01ft, 15s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle SW breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.

Sun, May 17: 12ft, 15s period, rated Very Poor. Patience pays off today — morning is very poor with 0-1ft. Later in the day looks more promising — 2-3ft and poor - fair.

Mon, May 18: 01ft, 13s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 12mph SE winds.

Tue, May 19: 01ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.

Wed, May 20: 01ft, 14s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 11mph by PM.

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Forecast Charts

17th St. Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Heavy
Best Swell
SSW
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall

17th Street is a classic Orange County beach break that catches plenty of swell throughout the year, with a sandy bottom that creates fun, forgiving waves ideal for learning. The NE-facing orientation means it picks up southern hemisphere swells beautifully in fall and winter, while summer can bring consistent smaller waves from local wind patterns. Being a popular urban beach break near Huntington Beach, expect crowded lineups especially on weekends, but the mellow conditions and multiple peaks along the beach make it accessible for surfers of all levels.

LocalismCrowdsPier pilings nearby

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

17th St. Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for 17th St.?

The current wave height at 17th St. is 1-2ft with a 15.4s swell period. Wind is W at 2mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at 17th St.?

The current breaking wave height at 17th St. is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.1ft W primary swell at 6s, a 0.9ft SSW secondary swell at 13s, a 0.7ft SSW tertiary swell at 16s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.

When is the best time to surf 17th St.?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf 17th St. is Sunday from 12 PM to 3 PM with 2ft waves, a 13.45s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at 17th St.?

17th St. works best with a SSW swell and NE winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.

What tide is best at 17th St.?

Tide plays a big role at 17th St.. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.

What kind of wave is 17th St. and who is it for?

17th St. is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. 17th Street is a classic Orange County beach break that catches plenty of swell throughout the year, with a sandy bottom that creates fun, forgiving waves ideal for learning. The NE-facing orientation means it picks up southern hemisphere swells beautifully in fall and winter, while summer can bring consistent smaller waves from local wind patterns. Being a popular urban beach break near Huntington Beach, expect crowded lineups especially on weekends, but the mellow conditions and multiple peaks along the beach make it accessible for surfers of all levels.

When is the best season to surf 17th St.?

The prime season at 17th St. is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.

Are there any hazards to know about at 17th St.?

Common hazards at 17th St. include localism, crowds, pier pilings nearby. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the 17th St. surf forecast?

Our 17th St. forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.