Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at 36th St Newport, Orange County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Patience pays off today — morning is fair with 2-3ft. Afternoon shapes up better with 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 17s and light winds out of the NW.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 16s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 15s with light S winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light S winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light winds out of the SSE. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
36th St Newport is a popular beach break in the heart of Newport Beach's residential zone, offering consistent, user-friendly waves that peel along a sandy bottom. The NE-facing orientation means it catches south and southwest swells best, with the most reliable conditions arriving during fall and winter months. This accessible break draws plenty of surfers due to its proximity to town amenities and relatively forgiving wave quality, making it ideal for intermediate learners and longboarders.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at 36th St Newport is 2-3ft with a 17.75s swell period. Wind is SW at 7mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at 36th St Newport is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.2ft SSW primary swell at 18s, a 1ft W secondary swell at 6s, a 0.8ft S tertiary swell at 14s. 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 36th St Newport is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 16.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
36th St Newport 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 36th St Newport. 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.
36th St Newport is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. 36th St Newport is a popular beach break in the heart of Newport Beach's residential zone, offering consistent, user-friendly waves that peel along a sandy bottom. The NE-facing orientation means it catches south and southwest swells best, with the most reliable conditions arriving during fall and winter months. This accessible break draws plenty of surfers due to its proximity to town amenities and relatively forgiving wave quality, making it ideal for intermediate learners and longboarders.
The prime season at 36th St Newport 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 36th St Newport include heavy localism, crowded lineup, swimmers, pier pilings nearby. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our 36th St Newport 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.
