Big River Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.30° N 123.80° W

Big River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 18 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Big River sea temperature is
13.0°C
1.5° 

Big River surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Big River surf forecast from 18 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 22 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, NW swell with 1,897 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 7s period with NW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Big River this week:

The surf forecast for Big River over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 19s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 1.7m and 7s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Big River in the next 16 days are 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 22) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Fri 18th Sep)5.5ft (1.7m) 7s
Best Surf11PM (Mon 21st Sep)7.5ft (2.3m) 8s
Most Powerful 2PM (Tue 22nd Sep)8ft (2.5m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Big River over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 12°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
18
Saturday
19
Sunday
20
Monday
21
Tuesday
22
Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
1
2
0
1
3
2
1
3
2
1
4
3
3
4
3
2
3
2
3
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.9
SW
19
1.9
NW
8
0.9
SW
17
2.1
NW
8
2.3
NW
8
1.6
NW
13
1.7
WNW
12
2.3
NW
8
2.5
NW
11
2.4
NW
9
2.2
NW
9
2
NW
10
1.8
NW
10
1.8
NW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
303
303
247
255
375
375
379
502
403
487
542
724
864
782
661
1351
984
816
753
624
624
Wind (km/h)
15
NW
20
NNW
5
NNW
15
NW
20
NW
10
NNW
10
NW
15
NW
10
NNW
10
WNW
15
NW
10
NNW
15
WNW
10
NW
10
NNW
10
WNW
10
NW
5
N
5
W
5
WSW
5
N
Wind State
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
glassy
High Tide
4:35PM1.52m
8:15AM1.19m
5:49PM1.50m
9:02AM1.24m
7:01PM1.52m
9:32AM1.30m
8:02PM1.57m
9:57AM1.36m
8:53PM1.62m
10:20AM1.44m
9:39PM1.65m
10:42AM1.53m
10:23PM1.66m
Low Tide
10:14AM1.03m
00:28AM0.25m
11:47AM1.05m
1:33AM0.23m
1:11PM1.01m
2:24AM0.19m
2:12PM0.91m
3:05AM0.15m
2:59PM0.80m
3:40AM0.13m
3:41PM0.67m
4:11AM0.14m
4:20PM0.52m
4:41AM0.17m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:58
6:58
7:00
7:01
7:01
7:03
7:03
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:19
7:16
7:15
7:14
7:12
7:10
7:08
 mm
Temp °C
15
14
13
14
14
13
14
14
13
14
15
13
16
16
14
16
16
15
16
16
14
Feels °C
14
12
12
11
11
12
12
11
12
13
12
13
14
14
13
15
14
14
15
15
14
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Big River Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Big River provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Big River can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Big River 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 (Big River) 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 Big River 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.

Big River is 54 km (34 miles) from Ukiah. If you plan a vacation in Mendocino County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ukiah. Ukiah has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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