Surf Forecasts:
Deadman's surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 15 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 16s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 5AM (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 Deadman's this week:
The surf forecast for Deadman's 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 0.6m and 13s. 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 Deadman's in the next 16 days are 1.1m 16s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Deadman's over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty comin' at ya. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for our stretch of coast.
We're looking at a pretty lean run here, folks. The first week and a half or so is all about small, inconsistent swell with a lot of cross-shore wind messing things up. The waves are there, but they're not making it easy on you. The real standout is a good long way off, so you'll need some patience.
Deadman's is the only game in town, and it's a tricky one. It's a reef break that's exposed to the SW, and it's notoriously inconsistent. So when it does work, it's a special thing, but you'll be waiting.
The best of the best, the one you really want to circle on the calendar, is Thursday the 27th of August. The afternoon is looking absolutely magic. The water's sitting at about 56°F, which is a touch cooler than usual for this time of year, but nothing crazy. We've got a solid 4ft south swell rolling in with a period of 16 seconds. That's proper groundswell, and it's got a ton of energy pushing through – we're talking combined energy of 1237, which is strong. The wind is set to go glassy, flat calm. That's the dream. It'll be clean, lined-up, and offering some proper shape. The only downside? This spot is often crowded, so expect company.
Before that, there are a few sessions that are worth a look if you're desperate. Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th both have glassy afternoons with a 3ft SSW swell and a 16-second period. The energy is moderate, around 548 and 611. It'll be clean, but the swell is small and the break is inconsistent, so don't expect a lot of waves. The same goes for Monday the 17th morning, with 3ft and glassy conditions, but again, the energy is weak (438).
Sunday the 23rd of August afternoon might be a little fun. It's a 4ft NW swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so it'll be a bit crumbly. The wind will be glassy, though, so it'll be clean. The energy is moderate (453).
Into the final days, Thursday the 27th morning is okay, with a 3ft southerly and light cross-onshore, but it's the afternoon that's the real winner. Friday the 28th afternoon has a 4ft south swell with strong energy (1043), but the wind is cross-shore, which will mess with the shape at a reef.
To be honest, for most of this period, the combo of small swell, inconsistent breaks, and onshore or cross-shore winds means the setup might be more interesting for kite surfing than a traditional paddle session. There's some clean wind, but the waves are small and weak.
Stick with it. The 27th afternoon is the one to hold out for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue night, min 12°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | WNW 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
505 | 539 | 620 | 512 | 334 | 330 | 334 | 334 | 178 | 252 | 291 | 270 | 309 | 314 | 236 | 175 | 236 | 158 | 111 | 99 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | off | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:13PM1.81m | 2:11AM1.71m | 2:47PM1.83m | 3:06AM1.52m | 3:22PM1.81m | 4:06AM1.35m | 3:58PM1.78m | 5:19AM1.21m | 4:39PM1.74m | 6:54AM1.14m | 5:29PM1.71m | 8:32AM1.16m | 6:29PM1.70m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:12PM0.41m | 8:22AM0.24m | 9:06PM0.37m | 8:57AM0.45m | 10:03PM0.35m | 9:32AM0.66m | 11:05PM0.34m | 10:11AM0.83m | 00:11AM0.32m | 10:57AM0.96m | 1:18AM0.28m | 11:59AM1.05m | 2:21AM0.22m | |||||||
— | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | NW 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 |
505 | 539 | 620 | 512 | 334 | 330 | 334 | 79 | 178 | 252 | 291 | 270 | 309 | 199 | 193 | 123 | 121 | 88 | 80 | 88 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 7 | WNW 9 | NW 6 | NW 7 | W 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 17 | WNW 15 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 |
21 | 33 | 34 | 29 | 51 | 73 | 38 | 334 | 100 | 84 | 101 | 119 | 158 | 314 | 236 | 175 | 236 | 158 | 101 | 99 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 5 | W 10 | S 12 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | S 11 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 11 | SSW 13 | SW 20 | SW 21 | W 21 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 20 | NW 7 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
13 | 8 | 48 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 9 | 23 | 20 | 2 | 98 | 16 | 18 | 9 | 54 | 58 | 15 | 14 | 111 | 48 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | — | — | NW 6 | NW 6 | — | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 4 |
25 | — | — | 42 | 116 | — | 79 | 164 | 75 | 151 | 105 | 174 | 233 | 100 | 86 | 118 | 64 | 10 | 58 | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 1 | 62 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 195 | 2 | 2 | 195 | 385 | 1 | 257 | 195 | 2 | 195 | 257 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Deadman's Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Deadman's provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Deadman's can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Deadman's 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 (Deadman's) 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 Deadman's 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.
Deadman's is 86 km (53 miles) from Eureka. If you plan a vacation in Humboldt County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Eureka. Eureka has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











