Point Arena Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.92° N 123.73° W

Point Arena Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 10 am 25 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Point Arena sea temperature is
13.3° C
0.5° 

Point Arena surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Point Arena surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 20s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 1 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, NW swell with 1,341 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 26 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 20s period with SW swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Point Arena this week:

The surf forecast for Point Arena over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 20s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Point Arena in the next 16 days are 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 01) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 18s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 2AM (Sun 26th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 20s
Best Surf 2AM (Sun 26th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 20s
Most Powerful 5PM (Sat 1st Aug)10ft (3.0m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Point Arena over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what we've got cooking at Point Arena.

First up, the water temp is sitting around 56°, which is about what you'd expect for this time of year – no nasty surprises, just your typical Northern California chill.

Honestly, the outlook starts out pretty grim. For the first few days, the wind is just a constant buzzkill, coming in from the NW and NNW at 15-18 mph. That cross-off and cross wind is making a mess of things. We've got some small swell, but it's not worth paddling out for. The wave energy is weak, barely hitting the low hundreds in the early going, and the period is too short to get excited about. You’re looking at a stretch of poor surf conditions right through the end of July. There's a little spike in energy (1,042) on Saturday afternoon the 25th, but that's a long-period SW groundswell that doesn't match the break's optimal NW direction, so don't get your hopes up.

Towards the end of July and into the start of August, the swell starts to push up. We're seeing 6 ft to 8 ft, but the period is still short and lumpy with that persistent NW wind. The wave energy climbs into moderate territory, but the quality isn't there for a good paddle. The cross-off wind keeps it from being completely blown out, but it's not clean, groomed surf.

Now, here's where things get interesting. On Sunday, August 2nd, the forecast shows a big jump. The afternoon session has a solid 11-12 ft NW swell, but the wind and tide are lining up. The problem is, it's just too much power for this break. The combined energy is over 2,000 – that's very strong. This is expert territory only, and even then, it might be a washing machine. For the average surfer, it's a pass.

The real standout, the one I'd mark on my calendar, is Friday, August 7th. The afternoon looks absolutely magic. We're looking at a clean 10 ft NW swell with glassy conditions. That's right – glassy. The wind is swinging WSW at only 3 mph, turning it dead calm. The period on this swell is 9 seconds, which is solid, and the energy is very high at 1,672. This is the best on offer. It's still a big wave, so it's for experienced surfers who know the Arena reef, but if you're one of them, that's your window.

To sum it up: the first week is a write-off for quality surf. The standout is that glassy afternoon on August 7th for the experienced crew. There's consistent swell in the second week, but the wind is fickle. Keep an eye on the forecasts, because this is a spot that can turn on.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
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
3
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
2
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
NW
9
1
SW
21
1.2
SW
20
1
NW
8
0.6
NW
8
1.4
NW
6
1.1
NW
6
1.3
SSW
19
0.9
SW
16
1.8
NW
6
1.2
SW
17
2.3
NW
7
2.1
NW
7
2.4
NW
8
2.5
NW
8
2.3
NW
8
2.5
NW
8
2.5
NW
8
2.1
NW
8
2.2
NW
8
2.3
NW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
135
890
1111
129
46
123
79
0
376
228
885
494
393
637
753
565
694
713
477
535
622
Wind (km/h)
25
NW
25
NNW
15
NNW
25
NW
25
NNW
20
NNW
25
NW
25
NNW
20
NNW
25
NW
30
NNW
25
NNW
30
NW
35
NNW
30
NNW
30
NNW
30
NNW
20
NNW
30
NW
30
NNW
25
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
10:51AM1.19m
8:46PM1.80m
11:26AM1.24m
9:30PM1.84m
11:55AM1.28m
10:10PM1.88m
12:22PM1.32m
10:48PM1.90m
12:49PM1.37m
11:25PM1.88m
1:16PM1.43m
00:02AM1.83m
1:43PM1.49m
00:42AM1.75m
Low Tide
2:35PM1.01m
4:24AM-0.05m
3:25PM0.99m
5:00AM-0.10m
4:08PM0.96m
5:33AM-0.13m
4:49PM0.91m
6:05AM-0.15m
5:29PM0.87m
6:35AM-0.14m
6:11PM0.82m
7:04AM-0.09m
6:54PM0.76m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:09
6:09
6:11
6:11
6:11
6:13
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:31
8:31
8:30
8:30
8:29
8:28
8:27
 mm
Temp °C
15
16
15
14
15
14
14
15
14
14
15
15
14
14
14
14
14
13
14
14
14
Feels °C
11
12
12
10
11
11
10
11
10
10
10
10
9
8
9
9
8
8
9
8
8
  • 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 Point Arena Surf forecast

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

Point Arena is 52 km (32 miles) from Ukiah. If you plan a vacation in Mendocino County, look for hotels and other accommodation in Ukiah. Ukiah has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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