Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Bolsa Chica, 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 Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on W swell at 6s with light winds out of the SSW. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on WSW swell at 7s with gentle ESE breeze. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 12mph SE winds.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on WSW swell at 6s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 13mph from the SW and dropping conditions to poor.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
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Bolsa Chica is a long, sandy beach break in Orange County that offers mellow, rolling waves ideal for learning and progression. The consistent beachbreak setup produces forgiving waves across a wide stretch of beach, making it accessible for surfers of all levels. The proximity to urban Orange County and quality sand banks create a popular but crowded local scene, especially on weekends and during swell season.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Bolsa Chica is 3-4ft with a 15.15s swell period. Wind is S at 3mph 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 Bolsa Chica is 3-4ft, produced by a 1.6ft W primary swell at 6s, a 1ft SSW secondary swell at 15s, a 0.7ft SSW 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 Bolsa Chica is Saturday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 4ft waves, a 14.45s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Bolsa Chica 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.
Tide plays a big role at Bolsa Chica. 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.
Bolsa Chica is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Bolsa Chica is a long, sandy beach break in Orange County that offers mellow, rolling waves ideal for learning and progression. The consistent beachbreak setup produces forgiving waves across a wide stretch of beach, making it accessible for surfers of all levels. The proximity to urban Orange County and quality sand banks create a popular but crowded local scene, especially on weekends and during swell season.
The prime season at Bolsa Chica 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 Bolsa Chica include heavy crowds, localism, swimmers and beach users. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Bolsa Chica 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.
