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Santa Ana River Jetties Surf Forecast, Orange County, California

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Orange County, California

Santa Ana River Jetties surf spot

Current Conditions

Very Poor
Wave Height
0-1ft
flat to ankle high
Swell Period
15.35s
Wind
2mph
W / Gusts 5mph
Conditions
Very Poor
Active Swells
Primary
1.3ft @ 13sS
Secondary
1.0ft @ 10sW
Tertiary
0.9ft @ 16sS

Santa Ana River Jetties 5-Day Forecast Summary

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: 01ft, 15s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light SW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.

Sun, May 17: 23ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on W swell at 8s with 13mph out of the SSE. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.

Mon, May 18: 12ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with moderate SE wind around 12mph.

Tue, May 19: 01ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.

Wed, May 20: 01ft, 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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Forecast Charts

Santa Ana River Jetties Surf Spot Guide

Break
Rivermouth
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SSW
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall

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.

River currentsSandbars shift frequentlyWater quality issues after rainJetty rocks

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Santa Ana River Jetties Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Santa Ana River Jetties?

The current wave height at Santa Ana River Jetties is 0-1ft with a 15.35s swell period. Wind is W at 2mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at Santa Ana River Jetties?

The current breaking wave height at Santa Ana River Jetties is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.3ft S primary swell at 13s, a 1ft W secondary swell at 10s, a 0.9ft 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.

When is the best time to surf Santa Ana River Jetties?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Santa Ana River Jetties is Sunday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 3ft waves, a 13.55s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at Santa Ana River Jetties?

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.

What tide is best at Santa Ana River Jetties?

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.

What kind of wave is Santa Ana River Jetties and who is it for?

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.

When is the best season to surf Santa Ana River Jetties?

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.

Are there any hazards to know about at Santa Ana River Jetties?

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.

How accurate is the Santa Ana River Jetties surf forecast?

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.