Surf Forecasts:
Point Arena surf forecast from 1 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 12s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 12s period, NW swell with 1,702 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 1 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s 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 Tuesday (Sep 01) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 10s 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 2.5m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 2AM. 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Point Arena over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it.
Overall, we’re looking at a pretty quiet 16 days for Point Arena. The first week or so is mostly a write-off, with a few fleeting moments of potential. The best bet looks like Thursday afternoon, September 3rd, but even that comes with a caveat.
The first real surf worth mentioning shows up on Thursday, September 3rd, in the morning. We’ve got a 6ft WNW swell pushing in, but it’s a messy cross-shore wind and light rain. The energy is moderate (466), but it’s not clean. The afternoon is where it gets interesting. The wind drops to glassy, and the swell settles to 6ft from the WNW with a 10-second period. The combined energy jumps to 653 (moderate), and the wave comment says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s the standout window. The water temperature is about average for this time of year. It’s a reef break, so that longish period (10 secs) will hold up nicely. This is your best session, but it’s a short window.
Friday, September 4th, has potential, but it’s a step down. Morning has a 7ft NW swell with a cross wind and the energy is strong (1034), but it’s a bit lumpy. The afternoon drops to 6ft from the NW, still cross-shore with a bit of chop. It’s surfable for experienced guys, but not the gem of the day before.
After that, things taper off hard. From Saturday, September 5th, through to around Tuesday, September 8th, we see dropping swell sizes (4ft down to 1ft) and mostly cross or cross-off winds. The energy is weak to moderate. The wave comments are all “poor surf conditions” or “surfable but very ordinary.” There’s a brief hiccup on Tuesday morning, September 8th, with a 5ft NW swell and clean cross-off wind, but it’s a short period (7 seconds) and the energy is only 209. Not worth getting excited about.
Then we hit a real flat spell. From Wednesday, September 9th, all the way through to the end of the forecast on September 16th, the swell is tiny – mostly 1ft to 3ft. The energy is very low, often under 200. Winds are a mix of cross and cross-off, but there’s just no wave power. The only flicker is on the morning of Wednesday, September 16th, when a 4ft WNW swell with a 13-second period shows up, giving us moderate energy (629), but it’s a cross-shore wind. It’s a long way off, so keep an eye on it, but right now it’s a maybe.
The standout is definitely Thursday afternoon, September 3rd. Glassy conditions, a solid 6ft WNW swell with a good 10-second period, and moderate energy. It’s the one shot we’ve got for a clean, fun session.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Thu night, min 12°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | NW 7 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SW 17 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
69 | 49 | 192 | 154 | 230 | 165 | 286 | 466 | 653 | 1702 | 1034 | 694 | 459 | 294 | 255 | 210 | 160 | 153 | 182 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:20AM1.42m | 2:15PM1.83m | 3:26AM1.28m | 2:55PM1.85m | 4:51AM1.18m | 3:46PM1.86m | 6:32AM1.15m | 4:50PM1.85m | 8:02AM1.21m | 6:05PM1.87m | 9:01AM1.30m | 7:20PM1.90m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:14PM0.27m | 7:54AM0.54m | 9:10PM0.20m | 8:30AM0.71m | 10:16PM0.15m | 9:14AM0.86m | 11:31PM0.09m | 10:15AM0.98m | 00:47AM0.02m | 11:42AM1.03m | 1:55AM-0.07m | 1:12PM0.99m | 2:53AM-0.14m | ||||||
— | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | SSW 13 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
69 | 198 | 192 | 154 | 120 | 165 | 286 | 466 | 653 | 1702 | 1034 | 694 | 459 | 294 | 255 | 210 | 160 | 153 | 182 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | NW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | SSW 13 | SSW 19 | S 12 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 |
204 | 49 | 154 | 151 | 230 | 86 | 129 | 460 | 184 | 553 | 651 | 563 | 651 | 620 | 688 | 519 | 405 | 330 | 264 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 14 | SSE 12 | SSE 12 | SSE 11 | SSW 12 | S 10 | SW 16 | S 12 | SSW 20 | S 11 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 10 | SSE 16 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 |
68 | 117 | 111 | 69 | 89 | 54 | 219 | 112 | 253 | 121 | 48 | 137 | 93 | 80 | 98 | 186 | 163 | 173 | 233 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SSE 2 | WSW 5 | SSW 3 | SSE 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 1 | 18 | 7 | 104 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 43 | 16 | 7 | 0 | 16 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 120 | 265 | 0 | 73 | 265 | 0 | 120 | 125 | 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.











