Orange County, California
Best window·Thursday 6AM–9AM·5ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Newport Beach, 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 Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 5-7ft on SSW swell at 17s with barely a breath of wind. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 4mph and poor - fair by then.
Thu, Jun 25: 5–7ft, 17s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 5-7ft on SSW swell at 16s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Fri, Jun 26: 3–5ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-5ft on SSW swell at 14s with glassy conditions. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Sat, Jun 27: 3–5ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-5ft waves on W swell at 6s and 11mph from the SE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Sun, Jun 28: 3–4ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 11mph from the SE.
Newport Beach offers mellow, rolling beach breaks along a wide sandy coastline, making it an ideal spot for beginners and family surfers looking to practice in approachable conditions. The consistent sandbars produce forgiving waves that work well during autumn swells, though the spot can get crowded due to its proximity to the affluent Newport Beach community. With its protected bay-like setting and easy beach access, this is a go-to destination for learning fundamentals in Southern California.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Newport Beach is 4-6+ft with a 16.8s swell period. Wind is W at 8mph 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 Newport Beach is 4-6+ft, produced by a 1.9ft SSW primary swell at 17s, a 0.9ft W 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 Newport Beach is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 5ft waves, a 15.75s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Newport Beach 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 Newport Beach. 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.
Newport Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Newport Beach offers mellow, rolling beach breaks along a wide sandy coastline, making it an ideal spot for beginners and family surfers looking to practice in approachable conditions. The consistent sandbars produce forgiving waves that work well during autumn swells, though the spot can get crowded due to its proximity to the affluent Newport Beach community. With its protected bay-like setting and easy beach access, this is a go-to destination for learning fundamentals in Southern California.
The prime season at Newport Beach 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 Newport Beach include heavy crowds, swimmers, piers nearby. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Newport Beach 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.
