Orange County, California
Best window·Friday 9AM–12PM·3ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Bolsa Chica Jetties, 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: 3–4ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 3-4ft with light SW winds. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up. Sea breeze fills back in by mid-afternoon so get on it early.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 5s and calm winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to poor.
Thu, Jul 2: 3–4ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor - fair with light winds out of the SSW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Fri, Jul 3: 3–4ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 3-4ft waves, light S winds, fair conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning. Don't wait too long — the wind comes back up after lunch.
Sat, Jul 4: 3–4ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on W swell at 5s with barely a breath of wind. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor - fair by then.
Bolsa Chica Jetties is a sandy beach break protected by rock jetties that create a natural amphitheater for wave formation along Orange County's coast. The jetties help shape and contain swells, producing consistent, mellow waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to practice fundamentals in a forgiving environment. This spot works best during fall and winter swells when southern and southwestern energy wraps into the break, offering fun, predictable conditions throughout the day.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Bolsa Chica Jetties is 2ft with a 13.7s swell period. Wind is SSW at 3mph 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 Bolsa Chica Jetties is 2ft, produced by a 1.2ft W primary swell at 5s, a 0.7ft SSW secondary swell at 15s, a 0.6ft SSW 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 Bolsa Chica Jetties is Friday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 3ft waves, a 16.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Bolsa Chica Jetties 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 Bolsa Chica Jetties. 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 Jetties is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Bolsa Chica Jetties is a sandy beach break protected by rock jetties that create a natural amphitheater for wave formation along Orange County's coast. The jetties help shape and contain swells, producing consistent, mellow waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to practice fundamentals in a forgiving environment. This spot works best during fall and winter swells when southern and southwestern energy wraps into the break, offering fun, predictable conditions throughout the day.
The prime season at Bolsa Chica Jetties 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 Jetties include jetty rocks, crowd during peak times, occasional strong rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Bolsa Chica Jetties 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.
