Orange County, California
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at 204s for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 2–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 14s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2ft waves on SSW swell at 14s and gentle SSW breeze. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor by then.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2ft on SSW swell at 16s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on SSW swell at 17s with glassy conditions. Onshore flow builds through the day to 8mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Sat, Jul 4: 2–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2ft waves on SSW swell at 15s with barely a breath of wind. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and poor by then.
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 2ft with a 14.05s swell period. Wind is SW at 6mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at 204s is 2ft, produced by a 1.4ft SSW primary swell at 14s, a 1ft WSW secondary swell at 5s, a 0.8ft S tertiary swell at 10s. 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 Tuesday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 2ft waves, a 14.2s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
