Orange County, California
Best window·Thursday 6AM–9AM·3ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at 204s, Orange County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Wed, Jun 24: 3–4ft, 18s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on SSW swell at 14s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 4mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Thu, Jun 25: 3–4ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on SSW swell at 16s and calm winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 8mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Fri, Jun 26: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 14s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–3ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 2ft and poor conditions with 11mph SE winds.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–3ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor conditions with moderate SSE wind around 9mph.
204s is a accessible sandy beach break in Orange County that works best during fall and winter swells when southern hemisphere groundswell wraps into Southern California. The NE-facing beach offers forgiving, mellow waves ideal for learning and progression, with a wide sandy bottom that provides consistent, peeling opportunities across various swell sizes. This spot's popularity with beginners and intermediates makes it a reliable option when other nearby breaks are either too crowded or outside their optimal swell window.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at 204s is 2-4+ft with a 16.75s swell period. Wind is W at 8mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at 204s is 2-4+ft, produced by a 2.6ft SSW primary swell at 17s. 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 204s is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 15.75s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
204s 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 204s. 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.
204s is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. 204s is a accessible sandy beach break in Orange County that works best during fall and winter swells when southern hemisphere groundswell wraps into Southern California. The NE-facing beach offers forgiving, mellow waves ideal for learning and progression, with a wide sandy bottom that provides consistent, peeling opportunities across various swell sizes. This spot's popularity with beginners and intermediates makes it a reliable option when other nearby breaks are either too crowded or outside their optimal swell window.
The prime season at 204s 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 204s include crowded during peak times, occasional rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our 204s 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
