Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Aliso Creek, 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: 3–4ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SSW swell at 14s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 3-4ft and poor - fair conditions with 12mph from the SE.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on W swell at 7s with moderate SE wind around 8mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 12s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 13s and calm winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 8mph from the SW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
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Aliso Creek is a sandy beach break in Laguna Beach that offers mellow, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. The beach's protected cove setup creates consistent peaks during Southern Hemisphere swells, with the creek mouth adding a unique freshwater character to the lineup. The gentle slopes and sandy bottom make it a welcoming spot for surfers of all levels looking to escape the more crowded Orange County breaks nearby.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Aliso Creek is 3-4+ft with a 15.1s swell period. Wind is WSW at 1mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Aliso Creek is 3-4+ft, produced by a 1.4ft SSW primary swell at 15s, a 1.2ft W secondary swell at 7s, a 1ft S tertiary swell at 12s. 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 Aliso Creek is Saturday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 4ft waves, a 15.1s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Aliso Creek 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 Aliso Creek. 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.
Aliso Creek is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Aliso Creek is a sandy beach break in Laguna Beach that offers mellow, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. The beach's protected cove setup creates consistent peaks during Southern Hemisphere swells, with the creek mouth adding a unique freshwater character to the lineup. The gentle slopes and sandy bottom make it a welcoming spot for surfers of all levels looking to escape the more crowded Orange County breaks nearby.
The prime season at Aliso Creek 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 Aliso Creek include creek currents, occasional rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Aliso Creek 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.
