Orange County, California
Best window·Thursday 6AM–9AM·4ft·Fair - Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Santa Ana River 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 — 4-6ft waves 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: 4–6ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-6ft 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: 3–4ft, 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 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Sat, Jun 27: 3–5ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 3-5ft and mostly poor - fair with 11mph SE winds.
Sun, Jun 28: 3–4ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 3-4ft and mostly poor - fair with 11mph from the SE.
Santa Ana River Jetties is a dynamic rivermouth break where the Santa Ana River meets the Pacific, creating shifting sandbars and variable wave formations depending on river flow and swell conditions. The jetties themselves provide structure that helps organize swells and create more defined peaks, making it a fun option for intermediate surfers looking to escape some of the region's heavier breaks. Water quality can fluctuate based on river conditions, but when clean swells align with good river flow, this spot offers fun, approachable waves with solid walls.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Santa Ana River Jetties is 4-6+ft with a 16.95s swell period. Wind is W at 9mph 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 Santa Ana River Jetties is 4-6+ft, produced by a 1.3ft SSW primary swell at 17s, a 1.2ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.7ft S tertiary swell at 12s, a 0.7ft W wind swell swell at 4s. 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 Santa Ana River Jetties is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 15.95s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Santa Ana River Jetties 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 Santa Ana River 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.
Santa Ana River Jetties is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Santa Ana River Jetties is a dynamic rivermouth break where the Santa Ana River meets the Pacific, creating shifting sandbars and variable wave formations depending on river flow and swell conditions. The jetties themselves provide structure that helps organize swells and create more defined peaks, making it a fun option for intermediate surfers looking to escape some of the region's heavier breaks. Water quality can fluctuate based on river conditions, but when clean swells align with good river flow, this spot offers fun, approachable waves with solid walls.
The prime season at Santa Ana River 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 Santa Ana River Jetties include river currents, sandbars shift frequently, water quality issues after rain, jetty rocks. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Santa Ana River 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.
