Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Bolsa Chica Jetties, 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: 3–4ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Afternoon is the play — morning is only fair at 3-4ft. Later in the day looks more promising — 3-4ft and poor - fair.
Mon, May 11: 3–4ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SSW swell at 17s with light winds out of the NW. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 15s with light SSE winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 14s and light S winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the SW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. 1-2ft waves to start the day on SSW swell at 13s. The WSW wind builds to around 12mph by afternoon.
16s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Bolsa Chica Jetties is a sandy beach break protected by rock jetties that create a natural amphitheater for wave formation along Orange County's coast. The jetties help shape and contain swells, producing consistent, mellow waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to practice fundamentals in a forgiving environment. This spot works best during fall and winter swells when southern and southwestern energy wraps into the break, offering fun, predictable conditions throughout the day.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Bolsa Chica Jetties is 3-4ft with a 17.8s swell period. Wind is WSW at 8mph 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 Bolsa Chica Jetties is 3-4ft, produced by a 1.2ft WSW primary swell at 6s, a 0.9ft SSW secondary swell at 18s, a 0.6ft SSW 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 Bolsa Chica Jetties is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 16.55s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Bolsa Chica Jetties 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 Bolsa Chica Jetties. 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 Jetties is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Bolsa Chica Jetties is a sandy beach break protected by rock jetties that create a natural amphitheater for wave formation along Orange County's coast. The jetties help shape and contain swells, producing consistent, mellow waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to practice fundamentals in a forgiving environment. This spot works best during fall and winter swells when southern and southwestern energy wraps into the break, offering fun, predictable conditions throughout the day.
The prime season at Bolsa Chica Jetties 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 Jetties include jetty rocks, crowd during peak times, occasional strong rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Bolsa Chica Jetties 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.
