Mad River Beach Surf Break

Lat Long: 40.91° N 124.15° W

Mad River Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 05 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Mad River Beach sea temperature is
12.8° C
0.8° 

Mad River Beach surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Mad River Beach surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NW swell with 1,770 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 5 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period with NW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Mad River Beach this week:

The surf forecast for Mad River Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 8PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Mad River Beach in the next 16 days are 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 16s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 8PM (Wed 5th Aug)3.5ft (1.1m) 8s
Best Surf 5PM (Wed 12th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 9s
Most Powerful 5PM (Wed 12th Aug)11ft (3.5m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Mad River Beach over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

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

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 12°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
5
Thursday
6
Friday
7
Saturday
8
Sunday
9
Monday
10
Tuesday
11
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
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
2
1
2
2
1
1
3
1
1
3
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.5
NW
8
1.4
NW
8
0.9
NNW
7
0.9
NNW
8
1
NW
8
0.9
NNW
7
1.2
NW
7
1.4
NW
7
1.7
NW
8
1.6
NW
8
2
NW
8
2.4
NW
8
2.2
NW
8
2.5
NW
8
3
NW
9
2.4
NW
8
3
NW
9
2.5
NW
8
2.3
NW
8
3
NW
9
2.5
NW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
291
257
86
88
110
93
147
183
335
297
502
734
655
987
1174
792
1214
964
686
1138
987
Wind (km/h)
15
WSW
5
WSW
5
N
10
W
10
NNW
0
NE
15
NW
10
NNW
5
SE
5
NW
15
NNW
5
N
10
NW
15
NNW
5
N
15
NNW
15
NNW
5
N
15
NW
20
NNW
5
N
Wind State
cross-on
cross-on
cross
on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross
glassy
High Tide
5:57PM2.38m
7:24AM1.48m
6:49PM2.44m
8:59AM1.47m
7:51PM2.51m
10:25AM1.56m
8:57PM2.58m
11:29AM1.69m
10:02PM2.65m
12:17PM1.83m
11:03PM2.71m
12:59PM1.95m
00:00AM2.72m
Low Tide
11:03AM0.72m
00:54AM0.27m
11:53AM0.93m
2:06AM0.12m
1:01PM1.09m
3:15AM-0.06m
2:23PM1.16m
4:17AM-0.23m
3:40PM1.11m
5:12AM-0.37m
4:47PM0.99m
6:01AM-0.45m
5:46PM0.83m
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:16
6:16
6:18
6:18
6:20
6:20
6:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:28
8:27
8:24
8:23
8:22
8:22
8:20
 mm
Temp °C
17
17
14
17
17
13
17
18
13
18
18
14
18
18
14
18
18
14
16
16
13
Feels °C
16
16
14
16
16
12
15
17
12
17
16
13
17
16
13
16
15
13
14
13
13
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 Mad River Beach Surf forecast

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

Mad River Beach is 6 km (4 miles) from McKinleyville. If you plan a vacation in Humboldt County, look for hotels and other accommodation in McKinleyville. McKinleyville has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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