Surf spot

Three Arch Bay

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

Country: USA, California, Orange County
Coordinates: 33.4927, -117.7349

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)	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.9	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5
Wave direction	S	SSW	SSW	W	WSW	WSW	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	SW	WSW	WSW	SSW	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S	S
Wave period (s)	11.1	9.9	9.9	4.8	6.8	6.2	5.5	5.8	6.1	5.8	5.8	5.7	5.7	6.2	6.4	6.5	6.9	8.1	8.7	9.4	13.8	13.7	13.7	13.4	14.5	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.5	12.4	12.3	12.2	12	12.1	11.9	11.8	11.8	11.7	11.6	11.5	11.3	11.1	11.3	10.9	10.7	10.6	9.9	9.3	9.3	9.3	9.4	9.3	9.8	9.8	9.2
Wave energy (kJ)	101	80	80	19	33	25	26	38	50	54	44	33	28	26	22	19	20	23	32	38	81	86	101	97	132	145	153	162	162	181	178	184	181	175	177	174	171	169	167	164	161	146	135	131	123	105	98	85	71	67	59	59	55	52	51	45
Wind speed (km/h)	5.6	6.5	5	14.6	14.3	10.6	6.4	7.7	7.9	9.2	10.9	19.5	19.1	15.2	10.7	10.5	10.7	8.4	6.8	13	15	11.8	6	5	3.9	2.3	2.9	11	14.8	10.4	4.8	3.4	2.5	3.7	4.2	12.4	14.7	14.1	8.2	4.5	4.4	4.6	4	11.1	16.1	15.5	5.4	4.7	2.5	2.6	2.3	9.9	13.9	10.4	4.2	5.2
Wind direction	SSECross-off	SCross	SSECross-off	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSECross-off	SECross-off	SSECross-off	SECross-off	SECross-off	SCross	SCross	SCross	SSECross-off	SSECross-off	SSECross-off	SECross-off	SSECross-off	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SSECross-off	SSECross-off	SEGlassy	SSEGlassy	SGlassy	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWGlassy	WSWGlassy	WGlassy	WNWGlassy	WNWGlassy	WSWOnshore	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WSWOnshore	WSWGlassy	WGlassy	NWGlassy	WGlassy	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WOnshore	SWCross-on	SGlassy	SGlassy	NWGlassy	WSWGlassy	WSWOnshore	WOnshore	WSWOnshore	WSWGlassy	SSECross-off

Three Arch Bay is a scenic surf spot in Laguna Beach, Orange County, California, known for its beautiful coastline, rocky reef setup, and protected cove feel. It’s not a wide-open beach break; instead, the waves tend to break over reef and submerged rock formations, which can create cleaner, more shaped waves when the conditions line up.

Surf character

Type: Mostly reef/rock break
Wave quality: Can be very good on the right swell and tide
Best conditions: Usually prefers a solid swell, clean offshore winds, and careful attention to tide
Wave style: Can offer fast, punchy, and sometimes hollow sections, with a more technical takeoff than a beach break

Things to know

Rocky/reef bottom: The takeoff and ride can be shallow and unforgiving, so it’s best for surfers who are comfortable with reef setups.
Crowds/access: Access can be tricky because it’s in a residential, private-feeling area, and the spot is more discreet than many public beaches.
Hazards: Exposed rocks, shallow reef, and strong surge at times.

Atmosphere

Three Arch Bay is especially known for its dramatic cliffs, clear water, and upscale coastal setting. Even when surf isn’t ideal, it’s a visually striking place and a classic Southern California coastline view.