Orange County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Salt Creek, 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: 4–5ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Steady 4-5ft waves on offer on SSW swell at 18s — 7mph W winds.
Mon, May 11: 5–6ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Expect 5-6ft all day on SSW swell at 17s with light NW winds — nothing amazing but surfable.
Tue, May 12: 4–5ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 4-5ft on SSW swell at 15s with light S winds. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 8mph and poor - fair by then.
Wed, May 13: 4–5ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on SSW swell at 14s and gentle SE breeze. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor - fair by then.
Thu, May 14: 4–5ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on S swell at 13s with light SE winds. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor - fair by then.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Salt Creek is a classic Dana Point surf spot featuring "The Point" — a left-hand point break with a small, competitive takeoff zone that comes alive on solid south swells. The south end produces quality lefts peeling over rock and reef, while closer to the beach you'll find A-frame peaks and shorebreak sections over sand. One of the most crowded waves in south Orange County, with a fiercely competitive local crew. NE Santa Ana winds create classic offshore conditions.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Salt Creek is 4-5ft with a 17.75s swell period. Wind is W at 7mph 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 Salt Creek is 4-5ft, 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 Salt Creek is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 6ft waves, a 16.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Salt Creek 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 Salt Creek. 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.
Salt Creek is a point with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Salt Creek is a classic Dana Point surf spot featuring "The Point" — a left-hand point break with a small, competitive takeoff zone that comes alive on solid south swells. The south end produces quality lefts peeling over rock and reef, while closer to the beach you'll find A-frame peaks and shorebreak sections over sand. One of the most crowded waves in south Orange County, with a fiercely competitive local crew. NE Santa Ana winds create classic offshore conditions.
The prime season at Salt Creek is summer, 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 Salt Creek include rocks, crowds, competitive lineup, strong currents, shallow reef. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Salt Creek 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.
