So, you’re looking at the Huntington Beach surf forecast and wondering if it’s worth the drive down PCH. I get it. We’ve all been there—staring at a screen that says "3-4 feet and fair," only to show up and find a localized lake or a closing-out mess.
Huntington Beach isn't just "Surf City" because of a marketing campaign. It’s a literal swell magnet. But being a magnet means it pulls in everything—the good, the bad, and the weirdly crumbly. If you want to actually score, you have to look past the primary swell height and start obsessive-toggling between the tide charts and the wind models.
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What the Huntington Beach Surf Forecast is Actually Telling You
Right now, we are sitting in the heart of the winter season. Today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the charts are showing a bit of a transition. Most of the west-facing breaks are pulling in about chest-high sets. If you’re looking at the pier, specifically the Southside, you’re seeing a mix of WSW groundswell and some lingering NW energy.
The morning started off pretty glassy. That’s typical for this time of year when we get those light offshore winds (about 5-10 mph) before the afternoon sea breeze kicks in and makes everything look like a textured ceiling.
The Breakdown for the Next Few Days
Honestly, the end of this week looks more promising than today.
- Thursday, Jan 15: We’re looking at a bump in size. Expect head-high sets at the better-exposed west-facing spots. The swell angle is hitting around 285 degrees with a solid 15-second period. That’s the sweet spot for the Pier and the State Beach.
- Friday, Jan 16: This is likely the peak of this specific pulse. The models, including the latest from WaveCast and Surfline, are calling for consistent head-high waves. The wind looks like it’ll hold up for most of the morning.
- The Weekend (Jan 17-18): Things start to taper off. Saturday will probably drop back to chest-high. Sunday is the wildcard. We’ve got a New Moon coming up on the 18th, which means the tides are going to be swinging wildly.
High tide on Sunday morning is hitting a massive 6 feet around sunrise. If you try to paddle out at 6:00 AM, you’re basically going to be bobbing in a deep, stagnant pool. Most of the sandbars at Huntington don’t handle that much water well. You’ll want to wait for the tide to drop toward that 1:00 PM low to see the shape return.
Why the Pier Changes Everything
The Huntington Beach Pier is the focal point, but it's also a fickle beast. The sandbars here shift constantly. One week, the Northside is a perfect peak; the next, it’s a shut-down shore pound.
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Southside tends to be the "safe" bet during these winter NW swells. It wraps around the pier and provides a bit of a shoulder. However, if the swell is too west, the pier can cause a lot of "backwash." You’ll see a wave coming in, it hits the pilings or the shore, and the water bouncing back out literally collides with the next wave. It's frustrating. It's bumpy. It's Huntington.
The State Beach Alternative
If the Pier is too crowded—and let's be real, it usually is—don’t sleep on Huntington State Beach. It’s a bit further south towards Magnolia and Brookhurst. The water is often a degree or two cooler for some reason (maybe it’s just me?), but the crowds thin out.
The State Beach handles the NW swells a bit differently. It’s more of a wide-open beach break. You might have to hunt for a peak, but when you find one, you won't have fifteen grommets trying to drop in on you.
The Winter Reality Check
Let’s talk about the "Longboard vs. Shortboard" debate for this week.
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With the current swell periods hovering between 13 and 16 seconds, there’s enough juice for your standard thruster. But, if you’re heading out on Wednesday afternoon or Sunday morning, grab the mid-length or the log. The lulls are going to be long. We’re talking 3,600 nautical miles of travel for some of these swells. They come in sets of three or four, then nothing for ten minutes.
Water temps are hanging around 15°C to 17°C. Basically, you need a 3/2mm full suit. Some of the "tough" locals are still in 2mm short-sleeves, but unless you have a high metabolic rate or a lot of pride, you’ll be shivering within forty minutes.
What Most People Get Wrong About HB Tides
Everyone thinks "low tide is better."
Not always.
At Huntington, an extreme low tide (like the 0.2' we’re seeing mid-day this week) can make the waves "wall out." Instead of a nice tapering shoulder, the whole wave just crashes at once. You want that "mid-tide-incoming" window. That’s when the water moves over the sandbars with enough depth to create a curve rather than a collapse.
Reading the "Real" Forecast
Don’t just look at the star rating on an app. Look at the buoy data.
- Buoy 46253 (Long Beach) is your best friend.
- If the buoy height is 1.4ft at 13s, it translates to about 2-3ft at the beach.
- If you see the period jump to 17s, get ready for some "sneaker sets" that are much bigger than the average.
Nathan Cool, a well-known SoCal forecaster, often points out that the angle is everything. A 290-degree angle is great for getting past the Channel Islands' shadow. If it’s too North (like 310+), the islands block the energy and Huntington stays smaller than places like San Diego or Ventura.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Session
If you’re planning to hit the water in the next 48 hours, here is the move:
- Target Thursday morning: Aim for 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM. You’ll miss the deepest part of the morning high tide but beat the onshore wind.
- Check the Pier Southside cam first: If the waves look like they are "doubling up" or hitting backwash, drive ten minutes south to the State Beach.
- Watch the New Moon swing: On Sunday, skip the "dawn patrol." Sleep in, have a coffee, and wait until 11:00 AM when the tide is rushing out. The shape will be ten times better.
- Gear up: 3/2mm wetsuit is mandatory. If the wind picks up, a hooded vest underneath makes a world of difference.
The Huntington Beach surf forecast is looking "fun" for the next few days—not "all-time," but definitely worth getting wet. Just keep an eye on those tides, or you'll spend your whole session paddling against a current that doesn't want you there.