Point Arena Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here with the outlook for Point Arena. Let's get into it.

Gotta be straight with you—this stretch is not looking like cause for celebration. We’ve got a long run of days where the wind is just a constant problem, and the quality is suffering for it. The water temp is about 53°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so bring a hood.

The first day on the calendar is Saturday, July 11th, and it’s a tough start. There’s a 5ft NW swell going, but the period is a short 6 seconds, and with a 19 mph NNW cross-offshore wind, it’s just messy. The combined energy is weak (290). It’s a pass.

Sunday the 12th sees a jump in size to 7ft, and the period stretches to 8 seconds, but the wind is still cross-offshore at 16-19 mph. The energy picks up to moderate (537), but the surf is still described as marginal.

Monday and Tuesday the 13th and 14th are much the same story: 7ft to 6ft NW swell, short to moderate period, and a persistent 16-19 mph cross-off or cross shore wind. The combined energy sits in the 470-550 range, which is moderate, but the wind keeps it sloppy. Not worth a trip.

The one standout in this whole forecast comes a little deeper into the window. On Thursday, July 16th, the afternoon shows an 8ft NW swell with an 8 second period and the combined energy jumps to a strong 1244. That’s a lot of water moving around. The wind is still cross-offshore at 19 mph, but the raw power is there. This is for experts only—8ft is big, and at a reef break like Point Arena, it’ll be a heavy, challenging wave. The next morning, Friday the 17th, is also big at 8ft with energy at 1352, and the wind is a bit stronger at 22 mph. Still, for the brave, that's the most potential.

After that, things settle back into a pattern of moderate to strong energy (870-1543) but always with that annoying cross-off or cross shore wind. The swell stays solidly in the 7ft to 8ft range through the 21st, but the wind keeps it from being truly clean. The 18th and 19th have a longer 9-second period, which is better for wave shape, but the wind is still a factor.

By the 22nd, the energy starts to drop back into the 500-800 range, and by the 24th, you’re looking at 6ft swell with a 7-second period and weak energy (405). The wind finally eases a bit on the 24th to a light breeze, which might be the cleanest window in the whole run, but the swell is small and weak.

The best bet? If you’re an expert, aim for Thursday, July 16th afternoon or Friday, July 17th morning. The swell is big, the energy is powerful, and it’s the most interesting surf on offer, even with the wind. Everyone else, wait for a better forecast.

This is Rusty, signing off.

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