Swell Intel

Crescent Bay Surf Forecast, Orange County, California

Orange County, California

Shaw's Cove0-1ftRockpile/Heisler Park0-1ftMorro Beach0-1ft
Crescent Bay surf spot

Current Conditions

Very Poor
Wave Height
0-1ft
flat to ankle high
Swell Period
11s
Wind
3mph
SSW / Gusts 5mph
Conditions
Very Poor
Active Swells
Primary
0.9ft @ 3sS
Secondary
0.7ft @ 11sSSW
Tertiary
0.7ft @ 10sS

Nearest Webcam

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Tue, Mar 310-1ft
Very Poor
6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 10-1ft
Very Poor

Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with 8mph from the NNE.

6am9am12pm3pm
10s S|4-8mph NNE
Thu, Apr 21-2ft
Poor

Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the NW.

6am9am12pm3pm
12s S|6-7mph W
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Sat

Forecast Charts

Crescent Bay Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Heavy
Best Swell
S
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall

Crescent Bay is a picturesque sandy beach break located in Laguna Beach, offering mellow, rolling waves that peel across a wide sandy bottom—making it an ideal spot for beginners and intermediate surfers. The bay's crescent shape naturally focuses swell energy and provides natural protection from offshore winds, creating consistent waist-to-chest-high peaks throughout much of the year. This beloved local break draws crowds due to its accessibility, scenic cove setting, and reliable conditions, especially during southern hemisphere swell season.

Heavy crowdsLocalismRocks at north end of bay

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Crescent Bay Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Crescent Bay?
The current wave height at Crescent Bay is 0-1ft with a 11s swell period. Wind is SSW at 3mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor.
How accurate is the Crescent Bay surf forecast?
Our Crescent Bay 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.
What is the breaking wave height at Crescent Bay?
The current breaking wave height at Crescent Bay is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.9ft S primary swell at 3s, a 0.7ft SSW secondary swell at 11s, a 0.7ft S 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.
When is the best time to surf Crescent Bay?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Crescent Bay is Thursday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 2ft waves, a 14.6s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.