Deadman's Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.02° N 124.07° W

Deadman's Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 13 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Deadman's sea temperature is
15.1°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 13 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 5PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 18s period, SW swell with 564 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period with NW 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 13s 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 0.9m 18s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Sun 13th Sep)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Best Surf11PM (Sun 13th Sep)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Most Powerful 5PM (Sun 20th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 18s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for the next couple of weeks.

We’re looking at a bit of a slow start, but there’s some real promise if you’re patient. The first few days are pretty messy, but by the middle of next week we’ve got a standout window that’s worth circling on the calendar.

Sunday the 13th kicks off with small, weak surf. The morning has a light cross-onshore breeze messing up a tiny 2.3ft SW swell with a combined wave energy of 390 (moderate). It’s poor. The arvo gets a bit more size but the wind jumps to 19 mph from the NW, making it lumpy and cross-shore. Not worth paddling out.

Monday the 14th isn’t much better. Morning has a cross-shore breeze with 5.2ft of NW swell but the period is short (8 seconds), and the energy is moderate (490). The afternoon cleans up a touch with a cross-off wind, but it’s still only a 5.9ft NW swell with a short 7-second period. It’s marginal at best.

Tuesday the 15th – the morning has 6.6ft of NW swell with a combined energy of 1015 (moderate-strong), but the cross-shore wind and short period (8 seconds) keep it from being great. The afternoon looks nicer: 6.2ft of NW swell, a light cross-off breeze, and clean conditions. It’s a solid “expect good” call, but the period’s still short.

Wednesday the 16th is a step back. The morning has 6.6ft of NW swell and strong energy (1049) but the cross-onshore wind makes it choppy. The afternoon drops to 5.2ft and stays cross-shore. Both are marginal.

Thursday the 17th – the morning is poor, with a weak 3.6ft NW swell and cross-on wind. But the afternoon is a little gem: glassy conditions, a tiny 2.0ft SSW swell, but with a very long 16-second period. The combined energy is moderate (470). For Deadman’s, which is a reef break, that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely. It’s small but clean. If you’ve got a log, this is your moment.

Friday the 18th through to Tuesday the 22nd – this stretch is all small SW swell, 2.0ft to 3.0ft, with periods bouncing between 16 and 19 seconds. That’s very long-period groundswell, so it’ll have good shape but be pretty inconsistent. The highlight of this run is Sunday the 20th afternoon and Tuesday the 22nd afternoon, both showing glassy conditions with 3.0ft and 2.6ft SW swell respectively, and combined energies of 668 and 682 (moderate). Deadman’s is a reef, so these long-period SW swells will peel nicely, and with the glassy wind, it’ll be a dream for a mellow session. Crowds are “often” here, so expect company.

Now, here’s the real standout. Wednesday the 23rd morning. That’s the one. Glassy conditions, 6.2ft of NW swell with a solid 13-second period, and a combined wave energy of 1745 (strong). This is excellent surf for experienced surfers – 6.2ft is solid, so leave the beginner boards at home. The wind is glassy, the direction matches the optimum (SW for Deadman’s? Actually, this NW swell is cross to the reef, but with glassy wind and that period, it’ll still be quality. The crowd profile says “often” – it’ll be busy for good reason.

After that, Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th drop back to 4.3ft to 5.2ft NW swell with shorter periods (10-11 seconds) and cross-shore winds. Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th have some cross-off wind but the period drops to 8-9 seconds, making it less appealing. Monday the 28th finishes with poor surf and messy winds.

So, the best bet is Wednesday the 23rd morning. If you want something smaller and cleaner, Sunday the 20th afternoon and Tuesday the 22nd afternoon are your glassy, long-period windows.

Water temp is 59.2°, which is about 1.3° warmer than normal for this time of year – pretty standard, nothing wild.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

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

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
3
0
1
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
0
2
2
2
2
2
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)
0.7
SW
14
1.6
NW
9
1.7
NW
9
1.6
NW
8
1.8
NW
7
1.3
NW
8
2
NW
8
1.9
NW
8
1.4
NW
8
2
NW
8
1.6
NW
8
1.1
NW
8
1.1
NW
8
0.6
SSW
16
0.4
SW
21
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
19
0.6
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
0.8
SW
18
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
186
397
450
291
325
216
507
458
270
519
322
167
171
198
160
303
303
303
258
375
442
Wind (km/h)
10
WNW
30
NW
15
NNE
15
NW
30
NNW
15
NNE
15
WNW
10
NNW
15
N
15
WNW
15
WNW
10
E
10
S
5
WSW
5
NNE
10
WSW
10
WNW
10
NE
10
WNW
10
WNW
5
N
Wind State
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
cross-off
cross-on
cross
off
cross-on
cross
glassy
High Tide
1:19PM1.88m
2:03AM1.60m
1:51PM1.86m
2:55AM1.46m
2:22PM1.81m
3:52AM1.33m
2:57PM1.75m
5:01AM1.23m
3:36PM1.69m
6:33AM1.19m
4:27PM1.62m
8:06AM1.21m
5:35PM1.58m
Low Tide
7:47PM0.13m
7:41AM0.53m
8:33PM0.13m
8:13AM0.70m
9:22PM0.17m
8:45AM0.85m
10:16PM0.22m
9:22AM0.98m
11:19PM0.26m
10:14AM1.07m
00:27AM0.27m
11:34AM1.11m
1:32AM0.25m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:54
6:54
6:56
6:56
6:58
6:58
7:00
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
7:28
7:27
7:24
7:22
7:22
7:20
7:17
 mm
Temp °C
16
18
16
19
20
16
17
17
16
15
15
13
15
15
13
16
15
14
15
14
13
Feels °C
14
12
12
16
14
12
14
15
13
13
13
13
13
14
13
15
14
14
14
12
13
  • 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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