What is the current surf forecast for 204s?
The current wave height at 204s is 1-2ft with a 15.3s swell period. Wind is SSE at 2mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
Orange County, California

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at 204s, 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: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle S breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 8mph.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 8s and 13mph SSE winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 16s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 8s and moderate SE wind around 8mph. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 14s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 10mph.
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204s is a accessible sandy beach break in Orange County that works best during fall and winter swells when southern hemisphere groundswell wraps into Southern California. The NE-facing beach offers forgiving, mellow waves ideal for learning and progression, with a wide sandy bottom that provides consistent, peeling opportunities across various swell sizes. This spot's popularity with beginners and intermediates makes it a reliable option when other nearby breaks are either too crowded or outside their optimal swell window.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at 204s is 1-2ft with a 15.3s swell period. Wind is SSE at 2mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at 204s is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.7ft SSW primary swell at 13s, a 1.2ft W secondary swell at 10s, a 1ft S 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf 204s is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 12.75s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
204s works best with a S 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.
Tide plays a big role at 204s. 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.
204s is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. 204s is a accessible sandy beach break in Orange County that works best during fall and winter swells when southern hemisphere groundswell wraps into Southern California. The NE-facing beach offers forgiving, mellow waves ideal for learning and progression, with a wide sandy bottom that provides consistent, peeling opportunities across various swell sizes. This spot's popularity with beginners and intermediates makes it a reliable option when other nearby breaks are either too crowded or outside their optimal swell window.
The prime season at 204s 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.
Common hazards at 204s include crowded during peak times, occasional rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our 204s 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.