Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at San Clemente Pier, 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 gentle S breeze. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 8mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on W swell at 8s with 13mph SSE winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 4-5ft on W swell at 8s with moderate SE wind around 8mph. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
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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San Clemente Pier is a classic Southern California beach break that works best during fall and winter swells, offering forgiving waves ideal for learners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom and pier structure create a fun, mellow environment where waves peel predictably along the beach, with the pier serving as a natural landmark for paddling out. The exposure to southerly swells combined with northwest offshore winds makes this a reliable spot when conditions align, attracting a steady mix of locals and visitors throughout the year.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at San Clemente Pier 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 San Clemente Pier 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 San Clemente Pier 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.
San Clemente Pier 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 San Clemente Pier. 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.
San Clemente Pier is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. San Clemente Pier is a classic Southern California beach break that works best during fall and winter swells, offering forgiving waves ideal for learners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom and pier structure create a fun, mellow environment where waves peel predictably along the beach, with the pier serving as a natural landmark for paddling out. The exposure to southerly swells combined with northwest offshore winds makes this a reliable spot when conditions align, attracting a steady mix of locals and visitors throughout the year.
The prime season at San Clemente Pier 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 San Clemente Pier include pier pilings, crowds during peak season, rip currents near pier structure. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our San Clemente Pier 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.
