Orange County, California
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.
Sat, May 16: 3–4ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on W swell at 6s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and poor - fair with 8mph from the SE.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 12mph SE winds.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on WSW swell at 7s with calm winds. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 13mph and poor by then.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 11mph by PM.
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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 3-4ft with a 15.4s swell period. Wind is SSW 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 Bolsa Chica Jetties is 3-4ft, produced by a 1.1ft W primary swell at 6s, a 0.9ft SSW secondary swell at 13s, a 0.7ft SSW tertiary swell at 16s. 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 Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 4ft waves, a 15.2s 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
