Chadbourne Gulch Surf Break

Lat Long: 39.61° N 123.79° W

Chadbourne Gulch Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 15 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Chadbourne Gulch sea temperature is
12.7° C
1.5° 

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


Chadbourne Gulch surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 16s period, SSW swell with 627 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 15 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period with SSW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Chadbourne Gulch this week:

The surf forecast for Chadbourne Gulch over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.8m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Chadbourne Gulch in the next 16 days are 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Sat 15th Aug)3ft (0.9m) 16s
Best Surf11PM (Fri 21st Aug)7ft (2.2m) 8s
Most Powerful 2AM (Sun 16th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 16s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Chadbourne Gulch over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what we’ve got on the cards for Chadbourne Gulch.

Right off the bat, it’s not a classic start. We’re looking at a fairly drawn-out run of small, marginal surf through the first half of this period. There’s no standout quality anywhere in the first week and a half. The first few days from Saturday 15th through to Tuesday 18th see a clean but tiny SSW swell hanging around the 3ft to 4ft mark, with long periods between 14 and 17 seconds. That’s proper groundswell character, and the light offshore west or northwest breezes will keep the surface glassy—especially on the mornings when it’s straight offshore. That’s a major positive for how clean it’ll be. But with the combined energy only sitting between 451 and 703 (moderate at best), the reality is it’s pretty weak. The water is sitting at 55°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year.

Come Wednesday 19th, the swell direction swings to the NW and the period drops right off to 7 seconds. The height pushes up to 6ft to 6ft, but that short period means the energy is mushy and a bit messy. The combined energy picks up a little to 739–881, but the cross-onshore breeze keeps it from being clean. Not really one to get excited about.

Thursday 20th sees a brief drop back to small SSW swell again, with heights down to 3ft, and then Friday 21st brings the NW back in at 6ft to 6ft. The period stays short—just 7 to 8 seconds—so again it’s more about push than quality. The wind is light, sometimes straight offshore on the afternoon, but the cross-onshore mornings will put a bit of texture on it. Combined energy sits between 605 and 754.

The weekend of Saturday 22nd to Sunday 23rd is similar: NW swell at 5ft to 6ft, short period, light breezes. The energy is moderate at 447 to 638. It’s not terrible, but nothing about it shouts ‘go session.’

From Monday 24th through Wednesday 26th, we settle into a steady pattern of 4ft to 5ft NW swell with 8-second periods. The light offshore winds keep it tidy, and the combined energy sits between 563 and 701. It’s a consistent run of small, clean waves—fine for the beginner-friendly setup here, but nothing to call home about.

Now, the real standout pops up later. On Thursday 27th afternoon, we see a shift: a 3ft S swell with a 16-second period pushes combined energy up to 870. That’s still moderate, but it’s a hint of something better. Friday 28th morning sees that S swell build to 4ft, 13-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 1130—that’s moderate to strong. The wind is a gentle cross-onshore at 9 mph, so it’ll be a little choppy.

But the real highlight is Saturday 29th afternoon. The swell jumps to 10ft from the NW, with an 8-second period, and the combined energy rockets to 2100—that’s strong. The wind is light offshore from the WNW, and the forecast notes wind and tide are favourable. However, at 10ft, this is going to be too big for this break. This one’s for experts only, if anyone even paddles out. Sunday 30th follows a similar theme: 7ft in the morning, then 12ft in the afternoon with 2043 energy. Again, too big for Chadbourne Gulch. The wind stays light, so it’ll be clean, but it’s just too much wave for this spot.

So, if you’re patient, the best bet on offer is the tiny, clean SSW groundswell from Saturday 15th through Tuesday 18th. It’s small, but with light offshore winds and that long-period glide, it’ll be the most user-friendly and lined-up the break will see for a while. The later surge at the end of August is a big, powerful swell, but it’s simply too large for this break to handle. Keep an eye on that one if you’re an expert, but otherwise, the early mornings next week are your window.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
15
Sunday
16
Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
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
2
3
2
2
3
1
1
2
1
2
3
1
1
3
2
2
3
1
2
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
SSW
17
1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1.1
SSW
16
1
SSW
16
1
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.9
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
16
0.8
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.9
SSW
15
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
1.7
NW
7
1.9
NW
8
2.1
NW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
622
499
627
612
506
405
334
334
272
239
348
291
309
344
318
226
226
236
311
407
477
Wind (km/h)
10
W
5
WNW
0
E
5
W
5
NW
0
NE
10
W
10
WNW
5
N
10
WNW
5
W
5
N
10
NW
10
WNW
5
NNW
10
WNW
10
WNW
5
NNW
10
WNW
5
W
5
N
Wind State
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
on
on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
on
glassy
High Tide
2:09PM1.71m
2:04AM1.60m
2:44PM1.73m
3:01AM1.40m
3:21PM1.71m
4:08AM1.23m
4:00PM1.68m
5:33AM1.11m
4:46PM1.64m
7:20AM1.08m
5:40PM1.61m
8:57AM1.12m
6:42PM1.61m
Low Tide
7:55PM0.39m
8:04AM0.23m
8:51PM0.36m
8:39AM0.44m
9:51PM0.34m
9:14AM0.63m
10:57PM0.32m
9:54AM0.80m
00:08AM0.29m
10:46AM0.93m
1:19AM0.24m
12:02PM1.00m
2:20AM0.18m
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clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:26
6:28
6:28
6:28
6:30
6:31
6:31
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:10
8:09
8:07
8:07
8:06
8:04
8:02
 mm
Temp °C
16
16
14
18
19
16
17
18
13
17
18
15
17
18
14
17
17
14
18
18
15
Feels °C
15
15
13
18
18
15
16
17
13
15
18
15
15
16
14
16
16
14
16
16
15
  • Map Icons:
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  • 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 Chadbourne Gulch Surf forecast

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

Chadbourne Gulch is 71 km (44 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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