Orange County, California
First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on SSW swell at 11s with gentle SSE breeze.
First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on SSW swell at 11s with gentle SSE breeze.
Best window·Monday 6AM–9AM·3-4+ft·Good
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 1–2ft, 11s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on SSW swell at 11s with gentle SSE breeze. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Fri, Sep 4: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor. 1-2ft waves to start the day on SSW swell at 18s.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor. 1-2ft waves to start the day on S swell at 13s. The SW wind builds to around 8mph by afternoon.
Sun, Sep 6: 3–4ft, 14s period, rated Good. The sweet spot is around midday — 3-4ft waves, light NW winds, good conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Mon, Sep 7: 3–4+ft, 13s period, rated Good. First light looks cleanest — 3-4+ft on S swell at 13s with light winds out of the NW. The WNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and poor by then.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Poor - Fair today — get one free email when 204s turns Good.
Check 204s from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 10.5s swell period. Wind is E at 3mph. 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 1-2ft, produced by a 1.8ft SSW primary swell at 11s, a 1.7ft W wind swell swell at 6s, a 1.1ft SSW tertiary swell at 16s, a 1ft SSE wind swell swell at 2s. 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 4ft waves, a 12.7s swell period, and conditions rated Good. 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
