Orange County, California
Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 6s and light winds out of the SSE.
Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 6s and light winds out of the SSE.
Best window·Sunday 10AM–1PM·3-4+ft·Good
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 2–3ft, 11s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SW swell at 8s with light winds out of the SSE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Fri, Sep 4: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor - fair with light ENE winds.
Sat, Sep 5: 3–4ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3+ft on S swell at 13s with calm winds. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 8mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, Sep 6: 3–4+ft, 14s period, rated Good. Early morning is your best window — 3-4+ft waves on S swell at 14s with light NW winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Mon, Sep 7: 3–4ft, 13s period, rated Good. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on S swell at 13s with light winds out of the NW. The WNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and poor by then.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Poor today — get one free email when San Clemente Pier turns Good.
Check San Clemente Pier from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 5.6s swell period. Wind is S at 6mph. Conditions are rated Poor. 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 2.1ft W wind swell swell at 6s, a 2ft SSW secondary swell at 11s, a 1.2ft SSW 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 Sunday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 4ft waves, a 14s swell period, and conditions rated 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. 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).
