Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Bolsa Chica, 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: 0–1ft, 18s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with gentle SW breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 9mph by PM.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 18s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and poor conditions with light NW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 8mph.
Tue, May 12: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with light SSE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 15s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with light winds out of the S. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Thu, May 14: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with light SSE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Bolsa Chica is a long, sandy beach break in Orange County that offers mellow, rolling waves ideal for learning and progression. The consistent beachbreak setup produces forgiving waves across a wide stretch of beach, making it accessible for surfers of all levels. The proximity to urban Orange County and quality sand banks create a popular but crowded local scene, especially on weekends and during swell season.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Bolsa Chica is 0-1ft with a 17.75s swell period. Wind is SW at 8mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Bolsa Chica is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.1ft W primary swell at 6s, a 1ft SSW secondary swell at 18s, a 0.5ft W tertiary swell at 9s, a 0.5ft SW wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Bolsa Chica is Sunday from 2 PM to 5 PM with 1ft waves, a 17.7s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Bolsa Chica 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 Bolsa Chica. 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.
Bolsa Chica is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Bolsa Chica is a long, sandy beach break in Orange County that offers mellow, rolling waves ideal for learning and progression. The consistent beachbreak setup produces forgiving waves across a wide stretch of beach, making it accessible for surfers of all levels. The proximity to urban Orange County and quality sand banks create a popular but crowded local scene, especially on weekends and during swell season.
The prime season at Bolsa Chica 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 Bolsa Chica include heavy crowds, localism, swimmers and beach users. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Bolsa Chica 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.
