Surf spot

The Wedge

Forecast conditions and map view for The Wedge in USA, California, Orange County. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, California, Orange County
Coordinates: 33.5940, -117.8824

Metric
Metric	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00
Wave height (m)	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.8	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.9	1	1.1	1.1	1	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6
Wave direction	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	SW	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	SW
Wave period (s)	12	11.5	11.3	11.1	10.8	10.6	10.7	10.7	4.7	5	5.3	5.4	5.7	5.9	6	6	6.1	6.2	6.2	6.1	6.2	6	6	6.1	6.2	6.3	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.3	6.1	6.3	7.2	10.2	13.6	13.9	13.8	12.9	13.6	13.4	13.1	12.8	12.3	11.8	11.7	11.5	11.4	11.3	11.1	11	12.1	11.8	11.7	11.8	11.7	7.3
Wave energy (kJ)	125	115	104	100	96	81	82	77	19	32	42	41	41	47	52	65	87	92	73	60	53	47	42	39	38	46	51	51	43	35	29	27	30	56	108	121	128	137	141	138	141	144	132	136	133	137	135	132	121	119	105	93	85	88	86	40
Wind speed (km/h)	10.1	8.9	10.7	14.4	15.9	12.2	9	8.6	8.3	6.9	5.7	10.6	15.2	12.2	9	9.6	11.5	12.1	11.4	16.6	20.7	18.7	14.6	12.6	15.6	10.4	7.9	12.4	16.5	15	9.8	7.1	5.4	3.3	3.4	9.5	14.3	13.3	9.2	6.4	4.8	3.1	4.3	9.3	15.1	16.1	9.4	5.8	6.2	4.7	2.9	8.3	15	13.5	8.7	7
Wind direction	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SSWOnshore	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SOnshore	SGlassy	SSWGlassy	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWCross-on	WSWCross	SWCross-on	SWGlassy	WSWGlassy	WGlassy	WSWCross	WSWCross	WSWCross	WSWCross	WSWCross	WSWCross	WSWGlassy	WGlassy	WSWCross	WSWCross	WSWCross	WSWCross	SWCross-on

The Wedge is a famous and notoriously heavy surf spot in Newport Beach, Orange County, California. It sits at the entrance to Newport Harbor, where a man-made jetty causes waves to refract and steepen dramatically, often throwing into a violent shorebreak.

What it’s known for

Huge, hollow closeouts: The Wedge can produce some of the most explosive shorebreak waves in California.
Bodyboarding and bodysurfing: It’s especially popular with bodyboarders and bodysurfers because the waves are often too steep and fast for regular surfing.
Big-wave reputation: On larger south swells, the spot can become extremely dangerous and world-famous for powerful wipeouts and heavy barrels.

Conditions

Best swell: Typically works best with a south to southwest swell.
Wind: Light offshore or calm conditions are ideal, though it can still be unruly.
Tide: Tide greatly affects it; different tide levels can make it more rideable or much more dangerous.
Wave shape: The wave often jackknifes quickly over the shallow sand, creating a short, intense ride.

Hazards

Shallow sandbar and impact zone: The bottom is very shallow, so wipeouts can be brutal.
Strong currents and rips: Newport Harbor jetty effects can create tricky water movement.
Heavy crowding: On good days, it draws skilled locals and visitors, which can increase risk.
Not beginner-friendly: It’s one of the most dangerous and unforgiving breaks in the region.

Overall vibe

The Wedge has a legendary, high-adrenaline reputation. It’s less a place for long, graceful surf rides and more a spectacle of power, skill, and risk. For many, it’s best viewed as a place to watch unless you’re highly experienced in shorebreak conditions.