Orange County, California
Best window·Thursday 6AM–9AM·4ft·Fair - Good
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.
Wed, Jun 24: 4–6ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-5ft waves on SSW swell at 17s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 5mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Thu, Jun 25: 3–5ft, 17s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-5ft on SSW swell at 16s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the W and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Fri, Jun 26: 3–4ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on SSW swell at 14s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Sat, Jun 27: 3–5ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 3-4ft and poor - fair conditions with 11mph SE winds.
Sun, Jun 28: 3–4ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with moderate SE wind around 11mph.
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 3-5+ft with a 16.8s swell period. Wind is WSW at 10mph 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 Bolsa Chica Jetties is 3-5+ft, produced by a 1.4ft SSW primary swell at 17s, a 0.3ft SW secondary swell at 14s, a 1.2ft WSW wind swell swell at 3s. 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 Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 15.85s 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
