Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Poche 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: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 13s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 10mph from the SE.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on W swell at 8s and 8mph from the SE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on WSW swell at 7s and glassy conditions. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor by then.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with glassy conditions. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
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Poche Beach is a mellow sand-bottom beach break along Orange County's scenic coastline, offering accessible waves that work well for beginners and intermediate surfers. With its northeast-facing aspect, the beach captures south to southwest swells while benefiting from offshore northwest winds that groom the faces. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving surface for learning, making it a solid choice for those looking to progress their skills in a relaxed beach setting.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Poche Beach is 2-3ft with a 15.3s swell period. Wind is SSE at 2mph 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 Poche Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.7ft SSW primary swell at 13s, a 1.2ft W secondary swell at 10s, a 1ft 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 Poche Beach is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 12.75s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Poche 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 Poche 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.
Poche Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Poche Beach is a mellow sand-bottom beach break along Orange County's scenic coastline, offering accessible waves that work well for beginners and intermediate surfers. With its northeast-facing aspect, the beach captures south to southwest swells while benefiting from offshore northwest winds that groom the faces. The sandy bottom provides a forgiving surface for learning, making it a solid choice for those looking to progress their skills in a relaxed beach setting.
The prime season at Poche 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 Poche Beach include occasional rip currents, crowded during summer weekends. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Poche 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.
