Surf Forecasts:
Point Arena surf forecast from 29 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, NW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 3 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 14s period, NW swell with 4,018 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 29 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s 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 29) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 7s 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 3.5m 14s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 2PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 18s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 2PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Point Arena over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking.
Honestly, the next week and a half is pretty grim at Point Arena. There’s a whole lot of average-to-poor surf, with onshore and cross winds messing things up and the swell being short-period, junky stuff. We’ve got a real dry spell until we hit Thursday, September 3rd. That’s where the only standout of the whole 16-day window shows up.
Up until then, you’re looking at mostly 5ft to 8ft swell from the NW, but the period is barely 6 to 8 seconds – that’s just wind slop, not proper groundswell. Winds are cross or cross-off but strong, 15-19 mph, which kills any chance of it being clean. On Saturday morning, August 30th, conditions are a little lighter with a gentle breeze, but the swell is still short-period and messy. It’s not worth paddling out for.
Monday, September 1st, drops right off to tiny 2ft with a long 11-second period, but it’s onshore wind and the energy is weak. Nothing doing.
Then on Thursday morning, September 3rd, it finally lights up. The swell jumps to 6ft from the NW with a proper 13-second period – that’s real groundswell. Combined energy is a hefty 1120, so there’s plenty of push. Winds are light out of the NNW, which is offshore here, so the waves will be clean. This is the best on offer, and it’s a standout. The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 7ft but winds go cross, and it gets a bit chop. Still, the morning is your window.
After that, the swell fades and the winds stay moderate to fresh, with the energy dropping back under 1000. There are small bumps of long-period SW swell around 2ft on September 8th and 9th, with periods up to 18 seconds, but the winds are moderate and the waves are tiny. Not worth the wet suit.
The last few days, September 11th and 12th, show some small SW swell (3ft, 16 seconds) but the wind is light and cross, so maybe a longboard session if you’re desperate, but it’s marginal.
Water temp is about 56°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – about 3° down. So bring the thick rubber.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Sat afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Sat night, light winds from the NNW by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 10 | NW 9 | SW 17 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 16 | NW 13 | NW 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 292 | 341 | 494 | 574 | 567 | 661 | 706 | 308 | 221 | 91 | 63 | 222 | 166 | 227 | 115 | 475 | 3245 | 3621 | 1593 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:52PM1.77m | 12:44PM1.66m | 00:36AM1.68m | 1:11PM1.73m | 1:24AM1.56m | 1:41PM1.79m | 2:20AM1.42m | 2:15PM1.83m | 3:26AM1.28m | 2:55PM1.85m | 4:51AM1.18m | 3:46PM1.86m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:24AM0.10m | 6:38PM0.46m | 6:52AM0.22m | 7:24PM0.36m | 7:22AM0.37m | 8:14PM0.27m | 7:54AM0.54m | 9:10PM0.20m | 8:30AM0.71m | 10:16PM0.15m | 9:14AM0.86m | 11:31PM0.09m | |||||||
 |  | | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — |
 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | S 12 | WNW 9 | WNW 16 | NW 13 | NW 11 |
| kJ | 508 | 1026 | 734 | 733 | 724 | 505 | 405 | 308 | 221 | 91 | 63 | 222 | 166 | 114 | 184 | 475 | 3245 | 3621 | 1593 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | SSE 9 | S 9 | S 9 | S 10 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | NW 9 | S 12 | SSW 19 | S 13 | S 12 |
| kJ | 50 | 28 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 394 | 321 | 204 | 154 | 154 | 97 | 102 | 115 | 278 | 460 | 336 | 300 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | — | — | — | S 8 | SW 21 | S 15 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 14 | SSE 13 | SSE 12 | SSW 13 | SW 17 | SSW 12 | SW 16 | S 13 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 |
| kJ | 28 | — | — | — | 1 | 17 | 4 | 19 | 20 | 69 | 129 | 113 | 114 | 227 | 59 | 219 | 156 | 470 | 553 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 2 | SSW 3 | — | SE 3 | — | — |
| kJ | 292 | 341 | 494 | 574 | 567 | 661 | 706 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | 5 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 165 | 30 | 145 | 265 | 43 | 73 | 265 | 0 | 46 | 265 | 0 | 16 | 126 | 0 | 120 | 82 | 0 | 0 | 265 |
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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