Orange County, California
Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on SSW swell at 11s with 8mph from the SSE.
Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on SSW swell at 11s with 8mph from the SSE.
Best window·Sunday 11AM–2PM·3-4ft·Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Rockpile/Heisler Park, Orange County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Thu, Sep 3: 1–2ft, 11s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on SSW swell at 11s and moderate SSE wind around 8mph. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on SSW swell at 18s and gentle ENE breeze. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 13s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 9mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Sun, Sep 6: 3–4ft, 14s period, rated Good. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on S swell at 14s with gentle WNW breeze. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, Sep 7: 3–4ft, 13s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on S swell at 13s with gentle NW breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Poor - Fair today — get one free email when Rockpile/Heisler Park turns Good.
Check Rockpile/Heisler Park from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Rockpile at Heisler Park is a rocky reef break that fires up when Southern Hemisphere swells wrap around the Southern California coast, delivering hollow, fast-peeling waves along its craggy bottom. The right-hand orientation from the park's vantage point makes it a fun ride for intermediate surfers, with waves that maintain shape and power across the rocky takeoff zone. Named for the obvious jagged rock formation that defines the break, this spot offers a more rugged alternative to the sandy beaches nearby, rewarding surfers who respect the rocky bottom and time their sessions around proper swell direction.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Rockpile/Heisler Park is 1-2ft with a 10.5s swell period. Wind is SSE at 8mph. 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 Rockpile/Heisler Park is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.8ft SSW primary swell at 11s, a 1.7ft W wind swell swell at 6s, a 1.2ft SSW tertiary swell at 16s, a 1ft SSE wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Rockpile/Heisler Park is Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 4ft waves, a 13.9s swell period, and conditions rated Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Rockpile/Heisler Park works best with a SSW 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 Rockpile/Heisler Park. 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.
Rockpile/Heisler Park is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Rockpile at Heisler Park is a rocky reef break that fires up when Southern Hemisphere swells wrap around the Southern California coast, delivering hollow, fast-peeling waves along its craggy bottom. The right-hand orientation from the park's vantage point makes it a fun ride for intermediate surfers, with waves that maintain shape and power across the rocky takeoff zone. Named for the obvious jagged rock formation that defines the break, this spot offers a more rugged alternative to the sandy beaches nearby, rewarding surfers who respect the rocky bottom and time their sessions around proper swell direction.
The prime season at Rockpile/Heisler Park 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 Rockpile/Heisler Park include rocks, sharp reef, sea urchins, localism. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Rockpile/Heisler Park 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
