Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Rockpile/Heisler Park, 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 moderate WSW wind around 8mph.
Mon, May 11: 0–1ft, 18s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light NNW winds.
Tue, May 12: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 15s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with gentle S breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 10mph.
Thu, May 14: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with light SSE winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Rockpile at Heisler Park is a rocky reef break that fires up when Southern Hemisphere swells wrap around the Southern California coast, delivering hollow, fast-peeling waves along its craggy bottom. The right-hand orientation from the park's vantage point makes it a fun ride for intermediate surfers, with waves that maintain shape and power across the rocky takeoff zone. Named for the obvious jagged rock formation that defines the break, this spot offers a more rugged alternative to the sandy beaches nearby, rewarding surfers who respect the rocky bottom and time their sessions around proper swell direction.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Rockpile/Heisler Park is 0-1ft with a 17.75s swell period. Wind is WSW 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 Rockpile/Heisler Park is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.4ft SSW primary swell at 18s, a 1ft W secondary swell at 6s, a 0.9ft S 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 Rockpile/Heisler Park is Friday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 1ft waves, a 14.45s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Rockpile/Heisler Park 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 Rockpile/Heisler Park. 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.
Rockpile/Heisler Park is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Rockpile at Heisler Park is a rocky reef break that fires up when Southern Hemisphere swells wrap around the Southern California coast, delivering hollow, fast-peeling waves along its craggy bottom. The right-hand orientation from the park's vantage point makes it a fun ride for intermediate surfers, with waves that maintain shape and power across the rocky takeoff zone. Named for the obvious jagged rock formation that defines the break, this spot offers a more rugged alternative to the sandy beaches nearby, rewarding surfers who respect the rocky bottom and time their sessions around proper swell direction.
The prime season at Rockpile/Heisler Park 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 Rockpile/Heisler Park include rocks, sharp reef, sea urchins, localism. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Rockpile/Heisler Park 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.
