Surf Forecasts:
Deadman's surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 16s period, SSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 11AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 18s period, SSW swell with 887 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Deadman's in the next 16 days are 1.2m 18s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11AM. 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+) | 8AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Deadman's over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Deadman's.
Honestly, this stretch is a bit of a mixed bag. The swell is mostly hanging around the 3ft to 5ft mark, with a nice long period groundswell pumping in from the SSW, which is the sweet spot for this exposed reef. The problem is, the wind is rarely playing ball. For most of the run, we’re looking at a cross or cross-onshore breeze, which is gonna leave that reef face a little bumpy. The energy is there though, with the combined swell energy reading at moderate to strong levels (1366) on the Sunday, so there’s push in the water.
The best of the action looks like it’ll be on Monday, 31 August. The afternoon session is calling for a drop to a light 3 mph southerly, turning it glassy. That’s the ticket. The swell is a clean 3ft from the SSW with a 14-second period, and the energy is a solid 504. It’s not huge, but glassy conditions on a reef like Deadman’s will make every wave count. That’s where you’ll want to be.
There’s another window on Tuesday, 8 September that’s worth a mention. The afternoon sees a glassy, light westerly breeze and a 2ft SW swell, but the period jumps to 19 seconds – that’s some proper long-period groundswell energy (662). It’s on the smaller side, but that period will make it hold up nicely on the reef. A bit of a gem for the patient surfer.
Other than that, the rest of the fortnight is a bit of a grind. The wind is mostly cross or onshore, keeping the surface bumpy. The swell sticks around, but it’s never really clean enough to get the heart racing. Deadman’s is an inconsistent spot, which means you’ve got to pick your moments. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so nothing crazy there.
So, to sum it up: the Monday afternoon glass-off is the clear standout. That’s your moment. The 8 September glass-off is a promising, longer-range option if you’re keen to wait it out. For the rest, it’s a bit of a wait-and-see game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Thu night, fresh winds from the NW by Sat afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sun night, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | NW 9 | SW 18 | SW 16 | NW 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
201 | 343 | 351 | 315 | 887 | 877 | 627 | 733 | 546 | 458 | 400 | 325 | 163 | 154 | 160 | 125 | 249 | 130 | 308 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 11:29PM1.89m | 12:37PM1.64m | 00:11AM1.84m | 1:02PM1.71m | 00:55AM1.76m | 1:28PM1.78m | 1:42AM1.66m | 1:56PM1.84m | 2:34AM1.53m | 2:28PM1.89m | 3:33AM1.39m | 3:05PM1.92m | 4:47AM1.26m | ||||||
Low Tide | 6:13AM0.02m | 6:14PM0.55m | 6:41AM0.11m | 6:54PM0.44m | 7:10AM0.23m | 7:37PM0.33m | 7:39AM0.38m | 8:23PM0.24m | 8:09AM0.54m | 9:17PM0.17m | 8:43AM0.71m | 10:19PM0.12m | |||||||
— | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 17 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | NW 8 | SSW 16 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 11 |
108 | 343 | 351 | 315 | 887 | 877 | 627 | 210 | 546 | 233 | 187 | 151 | 107 | 55 | 160 | 125 | 81 | 79 | 308 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | S 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 10 | S 9 | S 10 | SSW 16 | W 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 18 | SW 16 | S 12 |
164 | 70 | 88 | 88 | 17 | 16 | 8 | 733 | 10 | 405 | 400 | 325 | 163 | 154 | 154 | 116 | 249 | 130 | 144 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | SW 13 | S 11 | SSE 10 | — | — | W 12 | W 11 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 20 | SSE 17 | SSE 15 | NW 10 | SSE 12 | SW 18 | SSW 13 | S 12 | SSW 16 |
63 | 62 | 62 | 35 | — | — | 11 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 28 | 44 | 64 | 50 | 111 | 90 | 74 | 177 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
201 | 120 | 133 | 86 | 120 | 217 | 135 | 413 | 354 | 458 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 192 | 282 | 1 | 195 | 386 | 2 | 242 | 264 | 1 | 120 | 1 | 1 | 120 | 87 | 1 | 84 | 134 | 1 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











