Point Arena Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.92° N 123.73° W

Point Arena Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 4 pm 24 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Point Arena sea temperature is
14.8° C
1.0° 

Point Arena surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Point Arena surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 26 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 20s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 20s period, SW swell with 1,111 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 25 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 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 Saturday (Jul 25) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s. 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 1.2m 20s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 28) at 2PM.

Wave TypeTime (PDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Sat 25th Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 9s
Best Surf 5AM (Sun 26th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 20s
Most Powerful 5AM (Sun 26th Jul)4ft (1.2m) 20s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Point Arena over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

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.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Fri
24
Saturday
25
Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
1
0
0
2
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
SW
24
1.1
NW
9
0.9
NW
9
1
SW
21
1.1
NW
8
1.1
NW
8
1.1
NW
8
1
SW
18
1.2
SSW
18
1.3
SSW
19
2.1
NW
7
1.7
NW
6
1.9
NW
6
2.2
NW
7
2.1
NW
7
2.3
NW
7
2.3
NW
8
2.1
NW
8
2.1
NW
8
2.3
NW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
801
188
135
890
153
145
128
614
0
0
363
210
275
440
408
535
617
539
537
643
Wind (km/h)
25
NNW
15
N
25
NW
25
NNW
15
NNW
25
NW
25
NNW
25
NNW
25
NW
25
NNW
25
NNW
30
NW
30
NNW
25
NNW
35
NNW
35
NNW
25
NNW
20
NW
30
NNW
20
NNW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
High Tide
8:00PM1.76m
10:51AM1.19m
8:46PM1.80m
11:26AM1.24m
9:30PM1.84m
11:55AM1.28m
10:10PM1.88m
12:22PM1.32m
10:48PM1.90m
12:49PM1.37m
11:25PM1.88m
1:16PM1.43m
00:02AM1.83m
Low Tide
3:43AM0.02m
2:35PM1.01m
4:24AM-0.05m
3:25PM0.99m
5:00AM-0.10m
4:08PM0.96m
5:33AM-0.13m
4:49PM0.91m
6:05AM-0.15m
5:29PM0.87m
6:35AM-0.14m
6:11PM0.82m
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:09
6:09
6:11
6:11
6:11
6:13
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:32
8:31
8:31
8:30
8:30
8:29
8:28
 mm
Temp °C
15
14
15
16
15
14
15
14
14
15
14
14
15
15
14
14
13
14
14
13
Feels °C
11
11
11
12
12
10
11
11
10
10
10
10
10
10
9
8
8
11
9
9
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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