Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Newport Beach, 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: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with light SW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor - fair with moderate SSE wind around 12mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 7s with moderate SE wind around 12mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 14s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
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Newport Beach offers mellow, rolling beach breaks along a wide sandy coastline, making it an ideal spot for beginners and family surfers looking to practice in approachable conditions. The consistent sandbars produce forgiving waves that work well during autumn swells, though the spot can get crowded due to its proximity to the affluent Newport Beach community. With its protected bay-like setting and easy beach access, this is a go-to destination for learning fundamentals in Southern California.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Newport Beach is 0-1ft with a 15.35s swell period. Wind is W at 2mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Newport Beach is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.3ft S primary swell at 13s, a 1ft W secondary swell at 10s, a 0.9ft S 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 Newport Beach is Sunday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 2ft waves, a 13.55s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Newport Beach 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 Newport Beach. 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.
Newport Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Newport Beach offers mellow, rolling beach breaks along a wide sandy coastline, making it an ideal spot for beginners and family surfers looking to practice in approachable conditions. The consistent sandbars produce forgiving waves that work well during autumn swells, though the spot can get crowded due to its proximity to the affluent Newport Beach community. With its protected bay-like setting and easy beach access, this is a go-to destination for learning fundamentals in Southern California.
The prime season at Newport Beach 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 Newport Beach include heavy crowds, swimmers, piers nearby. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Newport Beach 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.
