Deadman's Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.02° N 124.07° W

Deadman's Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 am 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Deadman's sea temperature is
15.0° C
0.7° 

Deadman's surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Deadman's surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s period, SSW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 14s period, S swell with 489 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 15s 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s 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 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8AM (Thu 20th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 15s
Best Surf 8AM (Thu 20th Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 15s
Most Powerful11AM (Thu 27th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Deadman's over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you—this stretch is a tough one for most of the window. The only real action we’ve got is a couple of windows that are worth paddling out for, and the rest is a whole lot of nothing much. I’m talking about Deadman’s, a reef break that’s exposed to the southwest, and it’s inconsistent, so when it does decide to show up, you need to be on it.

The water’s sitting around average for this time of year, so no surprises there. Let’s get into it.

The first week is grim. From Thursday the 20th through to Saturday the 22nd, we’ve got small, weak swell—nothing over 2.6ft—with cross-onshore winds making it messier than a teenager’s bedroom. Energy is weak, sitting in the 150 to 530 range, and it’s just not worth the hassle. The whole weekend is much the same, with a slight bump on Sunday afternoon when the wind drops to glassy and the swell picks up to 4.6ft from the northwest, but the period is a short 8 seconds. It’s clean, but it’s not going to be pretty. A poor excuse for a wave, honestly.

Monday and Tuesday are more of the same—small, weak, and mostly messy. We’re looking at 2ft surf with light onshore breezes. Not even worth checking. Wednesday the 26th gets a bit of a kick with 5.2ft from the northwest, but the wind is howling at 18.6 mph, and it’s a cross-off, so it’s clean but blown out and unruly. That’s not your day either.

Now, here’s the first real standout. Friday the 28th morning. The swell jumps to 6.9ft from the northwest with a short 8-second period, but the energy is strong—1230. It’s a cross-shore breeze, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, but for the experienced crew, there’s some power to play with. This is a step up from the dribble we’ve had all week. Still, it’s a beach and reef setup, so with that size and shorter period, it could be closing out. Keep an eye on it, but don’t expect perfection.

The weekend after that, the 29th and 30th, is a letdown again. Swell backs off to 3.3-3.6ft, but the wind is up at 12.4-18.6 mph, making it cross and choppy. Not worth your time.

The second week gets interesting, but it’s a long way off so treat it as promising but not locked in. On Tuesday, September 1st, we’ve got small stuff, but then Wednesday morning, September 2nd, is the true gem. The wind goes completely glassy, and we get a clean 4.9ft swell from the west with a 9-second period. Energy is moderate at 625, but that glassy ocean is going to make it silky. This is your best bet of the whole window. It’s not huge, but it’ll be clean and fun.

The Thursday after, September 3rd, has a bit of size at 4.6ft, but the wind is up again, so it’s less appealing. And Friday the 4th, the final day, we’ve got 5.2ft from the northwest, but energy is strong at 987, yet the cross-shore wind will make it messy.

So, bottom line: The first ten days are mostly a write-off. Your window is the morning of Friday the 28th for the bigger, more powerful stuff, and then definitely Wednesday morning, September 2nd, for the cleanest conditions. Get out there then, because it doesn’t look like we’ll get much else.

Catch you in the water.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat night, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sun morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
2
1
3
1
1
2
0
0
1
1
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
2
0
0
2
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.8
SSW
14
0.7
SSW
14
0.6
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.5
SSW
13
0.4
SW
18
0.5
SSW
16
0.6
SW
19
1.6
NW
8
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
18
0.6
SW
17
0.8
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.6
SW
16
0.9
S
16
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
233
223
236
178
139
99
99
111
138
231
306
219
255
192
186
326
214
161
203
201
412
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
10
WNW
5
NW
10
W
10
WNW
5
NE
15
WNW
20
NW
15
NNE
15
WNW
0
W
0
NE
10
S
5
WNW
0
NNE
5
W
5
WNW
5
NNE
20
NW
30
NNW
15
N
Wind State
cross-on
cross
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
5:29PM1.71m
8:32AM1.16m
6:29PM1.70m
9:37AM1.22m
7:32PM1.73m
10:19AM1.28m
8:30PM1.78m
10:51AM1.35m
9:19PM1.84m
11:19AM1.42m
10:05PM1.88m
11:46AM1.49m
10:47PM1.90m
Low Tide
10:57AM0.96m
1:18AM0.28m
11:59AM1.05m
2:21AM0.22m
1:13PM1.08m
3:15AM0.14m
2:23PM1.05m
4:00AM0.07m
3:22PM0.98m
4:38AM0.01m
4:11PM0.89m
5:12AM-0.02m
4:54PM0.79m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:33
6:33
6:35
6:35
6:37
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:06
8:04
8:02
8:01
8:00
7:59
7:57
 mm
Temp °C
15
14
13
14
14
12
15
18
20
17
16
15
15
14
13
13
14
15
19
23
18
Feels °C
14
12
13
13
13
11
13
15
17
14
15
14
14
13
13
12
13
14
16
18
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 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.

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