Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Shaw's Cove, 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. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and poor with gentle SSW breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor - fair with 11mph SE winds.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — Flat and mostly very poor with 10mph from the SE.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 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 11mph.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 14s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with barely a breath of wind. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
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Shaw's Cove is a protected rocky reef break tucked into a scenic Laguna Beach cove, offering consistent, well-formed waves that peel along the reef structure. The break faces northeast and works best with southern or southwestern swells, channeled by the cove's natural geography to create organized peeling waves. This spot balances accessibility with quality, providing solid waves for intermediate surfers while the scenic cliffs and relatively protected setting make it a favorite destination.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Shaw's Cove is 1-2ft with a 15.35s 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 Shaw's Cove is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.5ft SSW primary swell at 13s, a 1ft 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 Shaw's Cove is Sunday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 3ft waves, a 13.65s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Shaw's Cove 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 Shaw's Cove. 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.
Shaw's Cove is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Shaw's Cove is a protected rocky reef break tucked into a scenic Laguna Beach cove, offering consistent, well-formed waves that peel along the reef structure. The break faces northeast and works best with southern or southwestern swells, channeled by the cove's natural geography to create organized peeling waves. This spot balances accessibility with quality, providing solid waves for intermediate surfers while the scenic cliffs and relatively protected setting make it a favorite destination.
The prime season at Shaw's Cove 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 Shaw's Cove include rocks, shallow 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 Shaw's Cove 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.
