
Surf Forecasts:
Ano Nuevo surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 9s period, NW swell with 574 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Ano Nuevo this week:
The surf forecast for Ano Nuevo over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Ano Nuevo in the next 16 days are 1.9m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Ano Nuevo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you. I've looked at the forecast for Ano Nuevo, and it's a tough stretch ahead. We've got a 16-day window, but honestly, the surf just isn't cooperating for most of it. The first few days are basically a write-off. We're looking at tiny, weak swell and cross-onshore winds that will chop up whatever is breaking. It's the kind of flat, bumpy conditions that'll have you checking your board for dings out of sheer boredom.
The water's sitting at 57.9°, which is just about normal for this time of year, so nothing weird there. But the waves, or lack of them, are the story. The energy is weak, and the short periods mean it's just not worth the paddle.
Now, towards the end of the first week and into the second, we see that deep-water South swell energy start to show itself in the numbers. The combined energy ramps up, hitting over 400 on Saturday the 8th and really pushing into the 500s and 600s by the following week. But, and it's a big but, the swell height stays stubbornly small. We're talking chest-high at best, and the wind direction just keeps messing with us, keeping things cross-shore or cross-on. The period is long, though, with some 16-19 second groundswell in the mix, which would be great if it had any size behind it. It just means the little swell we do get will be super clean and lined up, making the most of the energy.
The only time this spot starts to look interesting is around Saturday the 15th. We've got a 3.6ft SSW swell with a 16-second period, and the morning wind is light and onshore. The energy is up to 702, which is the strongest we see. It's still not big, but it's the best of a bad bunch. The conditions are called "marginal," so you'd be chasing a few clean ones, not scoring barrels. Sunday the 16th is similar, with a 3.3ft SSW swell and light winds, but the period drops slightly to 16 seconds. These are the moments to be out there, but don't expect a circus.
Honestly, if you're a beginner, this entire window is a no-go. Even the "bigger" days at 3.3-4.6ft are small, but the real problem is the choppy, wind-affected surface. For the experienced crew, there are a few windows of opportunity, but they're short and require a keen eye on the wind. The setup at Ano Nuevo is a beach and reef mix, and with the prevailing conditions, it honestly looks more like it could be a fun day for the kite surfers than for us paddle surfers on the windier afternoons.
So, the long and short of it is: don't get your hopes up. The swell is there, but it's all show and no go. The most promising day in the whole run is that Saturday the 15th. Keep that in mind, but know it's a promise that's far from certain. Fingers crossed the forecast changes, but for now, keep the board in the rack and the wax in the drawer.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
151 | 125 | 96 | 72 | 72 | 95 | 84 | 84 | 80 | 139 | 210 | 157 | 318 | 168 | 291 | 325 | 325 | 415 | 326 | 286 | 299 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 2:55PM1.58m | 3:50AM0.97m | 3:38PM1.63m | 5:38AM0.92m | 4:30PM1.69m | 7:19AM0.98m | 5:31PM1.75m | 8:32AM1.09m | 6:35PM1.81m | 9:24AM1.19m | 7:38PM1.87m | 10:08AM1.27m | 8:37PM1.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:20AM0.44m | 9:46PM0.36m | 9:04AM0.64m | 10:58PM0.23m | 10:00AM0.83m | 00:11AM0.09m | 11:15AM0.96m | 1:18AM-0.07m | 12:36PM1.00m | 2:18AM-0.21m | 1:47PM0.97m | 3:11AM-0.31m | 2:48PM0.88m | 3:58AM-0.36m | |||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 13 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | SW 13 | WNW 8 | SW 13 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | NW 7 | SSW 17 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
151 | 125 | 96 | 39 | 31 | 54 | 41 | 84 | 28 | 84 | 210 | 157 | 53 | 168 | 100 | 325 | 325 | 415 | 326 | 286 | 299 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WNW 8 | SW 13 | SSW 19 | SW 13 | WNW 8 | SSW 18 | SW 12 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 |
61 | 36 | 35 | 72 | 72 | 95 | 84 | 28 | 45 | 139 | 82 | 35 | 318 | 36 | 291 | 259 | 169 | 167 | 160 | 143 | 101 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 11 | NW 10 | S 12 | SSW 20 | SSW 20 | SW 18 | WNW 8 | W 15 | SW 13 | SW 12 | W 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 20 | SW 19 |
37 | 57 | 54 | 31 | 15 | 12 | 37 | 37 | 80 | 23 | 17 | 83 | 36 | 14 | 82 | 28 | 12 | 24 | 12 | 98 | 96 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 5 | — | — | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | 70 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 64 | 64 | 5 | 51 | 64 | 0 | 79 | 116 | 0 | 31 | 356 | 7 | 116 | 374 | 17 | 31 | 31 | 17 | 116 | 31 | 5 |
Best forecast wave conditions in San Mateo | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Ano Nuevo Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Ano Nuevo provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Ano Nuevo can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Ano Nuevo surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Ano Nuevo) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Ano Nuevo may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Ano Nuevo is 29 km (18 miles) from Santa Cruz. If you plan a vacation in San Mateo, look for hotels and other accommodation in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











