Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Santa Ana River Jetties, 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: 0–1ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly poor with gentle SSW breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions with 12mph from the SSE.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 12mph from the SE.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 15s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with glassy conditions. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 14s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 11mph by PM.
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Santa Ana River Jetties is a dynamic rivermouth break where the Santa Ana River meets the Pacific, creating shifting sandbars and variable wave formations depending on river flow and swell conditions. The jetties themselves provide structure that helps organize swells and create more defined peaks, making it a fun option for intermediate surfers looking to escape some of the region's heavier breaks. Water quality can fluctuate based on river conditions, but when clean swells align with good river flow, this spot offers fun, approachable waves with solid walls.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Santa Ana River Jetties is 1-2ft with a 15.1s swell period. Wind is SSW at 3mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Santa Ana River Jetties is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.3ft W primary swell at 7s, a 1.2ft S secondary swell at 13s, a 1ft S tertiary swell at 15s. 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 Santa Ana River Jetties is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 13.5s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Santa Ana River Jetties 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 Santa Ana River Jetties. 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.
Santa Ana River Jetties is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Santa Ana River Jetties is a dynamic rivermouth break where the Santa Ana River meets the Pacific, creating shifting sandbars and variable wave formations depending on river flow and swell conditions. The jetties themselves provide structure that helps organize swells and create more defined peaks, making it a fun option for intermediate surfers looking to escape some of the region's heavier breaks. Water quality can fluctuate based on river conditions, but when clean swells align with good river flow, this spot offers fun, approachable waves with solid walls.
The prime season at Santa Ana River Jetties 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 Santa Ana River Jetties include river currents, sandbars shift frequently, water quality issues after rain, jetty rocks. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Santa Ana River Jetties 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.
