Surf Forecasts:
Point Arena surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 1 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 2 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 9s period, NW swell with 2,845 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 8s period with NW 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 Saturday (Aug 01) at 5PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. 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 4.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 02) at 8PM. 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 19s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 8PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5PM (Sat 1st Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 2nd Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Point Arena over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Point Arena has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.
The first few days are a bit of a write-off. Monday the 27th is a dud with tiny 2ft NW windswell and a messy cross-shore chop, so don't even bother. The next few days are a tough watch – we've got a solid pulse of swell building from the NW, but the wind is howling from the same direction, keeping the ocean bumped up and messy. Tuesday the 28th afternoon sees a long-period 4ft SW groundswell (17-second period) roll in, but it's only a blip and the sea state is still rough. Wednesday through to Saturday the 1st of August has consistent NW swell in the 7ft to 8ft range, but strong NW winds are shredding the surface. The water is a bit colder than average for this time of year, sitting at 55°.
Now, hang on tight, because the real talk comes on Saturday the 1st of August afternoon. The swell absolutely hammers up to 12ft from the NW, with a very strong combined wave energy (1523). The wind is cross-offshore and the conditions are clean, but this is a serious message: this is only for experts. The swell is too big for most, and the paddle out will be a battle. The deepwater groundswell energy is massive. Sunday the 2nd of August is the same story – 12ft to 12ft NW swell, even more energy (2225 on Sunday afternoon), but the wind is still cross-offshore and clean. It’s a phenomenal, heaving spectacle for the brave and experienced.
The following week settles down, but it's not a clean run. Monday the 3rd has a 10ft NW swell, but the wind swings cross-shore, putting a chop on it. Then Tuesday the 4th morning offers a brief window of light offshore SW wind with a 10ft NW groundswell, but the conditions are mixed. The best of the second week looks like Tuesday the 11th of August afternoon. The swell drops to a manageable 8ft from the NW, the wind turns light cross-offshore, and the energy is still solid (935). The surf should be clean and well-shaped, a real standout in a patchy run.
For the best bet? If you're an expert, you cannot miss Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of August. It's big, it's raw, and it's clean. For everyone else, target Tuesday the 11th of August afternoon for the best mix of size and clean conditions.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Sat night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 10 | SSW 19 | SW 16 | NW 6 | SW 17 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 74 | 0 | 376 | 236 | 885 | 494 | 432 | 676 | 906 | 580 | 676 | 640 | 428 | 589 | 681 | 816 | 1405 | 1473 | 1839 | 2176 | 2247 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 2:10PM1.55m | 1:25AM1.62m | 2:39PM1.62m | 2:15AM1.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 7:33AM-0.00m | 7:41PM0.69m | 8:03AM0.12m | 8:34PM0.62m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 19 | SSW 19 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 845 | 1166 | 584 | 932 | 885 | 780 | 539 | 627 | 425 | 568 | 429 | 186 | 280 | 327 | 176 | 356 | 345 | 139 | 102 | 65 | 44 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | SSW 11 | SW 16 | SW 12 | S 19 | S 20 | S 18 | S 18 | S 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | S 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | S 10 |
| kJ | 74 | 39 | 376 | 36 | 262 | 119 | 227 | 221 | 260 | 118 | 73 | 186 | 239 | 236 | 170 | 136 | 103 | 91 | 74 | 70 | 19 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 11 | — | SW 12 | SSW 10 | SSW 11 | SW 12 | SSE 16 | SSE 16 | SSE 15 | — | SSE 17 | S 15 | — | S 21 | S 15 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 14 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
| kJ | 24 | — | 39 | 9 | 51 | 34 | 53 | 107 | 125 | — | 59 | 112 | — | 9 | 168 | 15 | 15 | 80 | 12 | 49 | 49 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 |
| kJ | 62 | 126 | 306 | 236 | 440 | 494 | 432 | 676 | 906 | 580 | 676 | 640 | 428 | 589 | 681 | 816 | 1405 | 1473 | 1839 | 2176 | 2247 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 165 | 264 | 43 | 165 | 265 | 43 | 145 | 265 | 43 | 145 | 264 | 43 | 91 | 125 | 43 | 145 | 264 | 102 | 91 | 265 | 58 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Mendocino County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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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