Orange County, California
Best window·Thursday 6AM–9AM·5ft·Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Aliso Creek, 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: 5–7ft, 18s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 5-7ft on SSW swell at 14s with barely a breath of wind. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Thu, Jun 25: 5–7ft, 17s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 5-7ft waves on SSW swell at 16s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 6mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Fri, Jun 26: 3–5ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-6ft on SSW swell at 14s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 9mph from the SW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Sat, Jun 27: 4–6ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-5ft on W swell at 6s with 9mph from the SE. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Sun, Jun 28: 3–5ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-5ft waves on W swell at 6s and 10mph SSE winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Aliso Creek is a sandy beach break in Laguna Beach that offers mellow, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. The beach's protected cove setup creates consistent peaks during Southern Hemisphere swells, with the creek mouth adding a unique freshwater character to the lineup. The gentle slopes and sandy bottom make it a welcoming spot for surfers of all levels looking to escape the more crowded Orange County breaks nearby.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Aliso Creek is 4-6+ft with a 16.9s swell period. Wind is WNW 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 Aliso Creek is 4-6+ft, produced by a 1.6ft SSW primary swell at 17s, a 1.5ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.7ft WSW wind swell swell at 4s. 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 Aliso Creek is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 5ft waves, a 15.9s swell period, and conditions rated Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Aliso Creek 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 Aliso Creek. 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.
Aliso Creek is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Aliso Creek is a sandy beach break in Laguna Beach that offers mellow, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. The beach's protected cove setup creates consistent peaks during Southern Hemisphere swells, with the creek mouth adding a unique freshwater character to the lineup. The gentle slopes and sandy bottom make it a welcoming spot for surfers of all levels looking to escape the more crowded Orange County breaks nearby.
The prime season at Aliso Creek 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 Aliso Creek include creek currents, occasional rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Aliso Creek 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.
