Point Arena Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming our way at Point Arena.

Right off the bat, we’re looking at a quiet start. The first real surf we can talk about is on Friday, July 24th, in the afternoon. There’s a small 0.9m swell from the SW, but it’s got a super long period of 24 seconds, which is a proper groundswell. Problem is, the wind is blowing 25 km/h from the NNW. It’s a cross-offshore breeze, so it’s clean, but the wave energy is weak (989). The water is sitting at 15°, which is about a degree warmer than usual for this time of year. It’s not a standout, but it’s the first pulse.

After that, it gets ugly. From Saturday the 25th right through the end of the month, we’re in a flat spell with poor conditions. The swell picks up from 1.0m to over 2.0m, but it’s all short-period, bumpy stuff from the NW, with periods as low as 6 to 8 seconds. The wind is a constant 25 to 35 km/h from the NW or NNW, making for a messy, choppy surface. The energy gets moderate to strong (over 500 by the 30th), but it’s not worth paddling out for. This is just a rough stretch of ocean.

Now, the real standout is Sunday, August 2nd, in the afternoon. This is more than a week out, so keep that in mind, but the numbers are serious. We’re talking a 3.5m swell from the NW with a 9-second period, and the combined energy is massive (1949). The wind is 35 km/h from the NNW, which is a clean cross-offshore breeze. Here’s the thing: at over 2.5m, this is strictly for experts. Point Arena is a reef, and that size will be powerful and critical. Crowds are often a thing here, so expect a busy lineup. This is the best window for the experienced crew.

After that big swell, the size drops but stays solid into the first week of August. The energy stays high (over 1000), and the period stretches to 10 seconds, which is perfect for a point break. The wind lightens up nicely by August 6th and 7th, with a 2.5m to 2.2m NW swell and light winds (5 to 10 km/h). The afternoon of Friday, August 7th, looks particularly clean, with a 2.0m swell, 9-second period, and light offshore winds. The energy is moderate (764), but the conditions will be excellent for a good session.

So, bottom line: the first week is a bust unless you’re desperate for that tiny, clean wave on the 24th. The real juice is in the second week, with Sunday, August 2nd being the big-wave highlight, and Friday, August 7th offering a more user-friendly, clean day. Don’t get your hopes up early, but the later forecast has some real potential.

Rusty.

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