Surf Forecasts:
Point Arena surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 9 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, NW swell with 1,735 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.5m and 9s period. 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 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 09) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 16s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 9th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Point Arena over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, checking in on Point Arena.
Honestly, the next couple of weeks are a tough pill to swallow. We’re looking at a long stretch of marginal to poor conditions. The water is sitting at 56°F which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want the thick rubber.
There’s a glimmer of hope right at the very end of the run, but we’ve got to get through the quiet first. From Sunday the 9th through to around Saturday the 22nd, it’s mostly a write-off. The swell is there, but the winds are messy—mostly cross or cross-off, with a lot of chop. The wave energy is moderate at best, often dipping below 100 (weak energy) on the smaller days, and even when it bumps up to around 1083 (moderate energy) on Monday the 10th, the cross winds ruin it. It’s just not worth paddling out for the hassle.
There’s a tiny window on Saturday the 15th afternoon with 1.0 ft of swell and glassy conditions. The energy is weak at 86, so it’s not going to be anything to write home about, but it’s about the only chance to get wet without getting worked by the wind.
Now, the real standout is the final weekend. Keep an eye on Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th. On Sunday afternoon, we’ve got a solid 10 ft of NW swell, with moderate energy hitting 1231 (strong wave energy). The period is short at 8 seconds, but the wind is a gentle cross breeze, keeping it from being total chop. Monday afternoon looks even better for the brave: 10 ft of NW swell, a longer 9-second period, and very light cross-onshore winds with only small ripples. The energy jumps to 1883 (strong to very strong wave energy). For the experienced crew, this could be the payoff after a long wait. Just remember, that’s two weeks out, so it’s promising but not locked in yet.
Forget the beginner spots—anything over 8 ft is expert territory. Point Arena is a reef, so that long-period groundswell will line up nicely, but those short-period NW swells might wall up a bit. If the wind swings, the beach setup could be more fun for the kite surfers than the paddle crew.
Stay patient. That last burst of energy looks like the real deal.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Sun afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 908 | 953 | 1351 | 1019 | 958 | 1174 | 853 | 890 | 941 | 996 | 745 | 980 | 770 | 554 | 349 | 284 | 260 | 164 | 91 | 86 | 59 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | on | glassy | glassy |
High Tide | 10:10AM1.28m | 8:29PM2.09m | 10:54AM1.37m | 9:28PM2.15m | 11:32AM1.46m | 10:24PM2.16m | 12:09PM1.55m | 11:16PM2.11m | 12:44PM1.63m | 00:06AM1.99m | 1:19PM1.70m | 00:57AM1.83m | 1:55PM1.75m | 1:50AM1.63m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:13PM0.95m | 4:04AM-0.32m | 3:20PM0.87m | 4:51AM-0.37m | 4:19PM0.77m | 5:34AM-0.36m | 5:14PM0.65m | 6:14AM-0.28m | 6:08PM0.55m | 6:52AM-0.14m | 7:01PM0.47m | 7:29AM0.04m | 7:55PM0.41m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — |
 | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SW 18 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 263 | 186 | 167 | 163 | 154 | 102 | 853 | 890 | 316 | 996 | 745 | 980 | 770 | 554 | 349 | 284 | 260 | 164 | 717 | 499 | 724 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SSW 13 | SSW 14 | S 12 | SW 18 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 18 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 |
| kJ | 48 | 27 | 24 | 12 | 98 | 133 | 102 | 116 | 26 | 150 | 179 | 261 | 203 | 251 | 245 | 146 | 140 | 360 | 91 | 86 | 59 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 23 | SW 21 | SW 21 | SW 20 | S 9 | S 16 | SSW 19 | SW 18 | SSE 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 19 | SW 14 | S 11 | S 10 | W 10 |
| kJ | 21 | 18 | 72 | 64 | 2 | 5 | 145 | 157 | 14 | 56 | 67 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 37 | 149 | 201 | 214 | 61 | 53 | 51 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | — | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 908 | 953 | 1351 | 1019 | 958 | 1174 | — | — | 941 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 165 | 610 | 43 | 73 | 82 | 30 | 46 | 72 | 43 | 46 | 66 | 7 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 50 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
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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