Surf Forecasts:
Point Arena surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 13 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NW swell with 886 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 13 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s 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 Thursday (Aug 13) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 8s 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Point Arena over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break it down for our local break.
Right now, the surf is pretty flat and messy. The first real chance to get wet doesn’t come until mid-August. The first recommendation kicks off on Wednesday, August 12th.
Point Arena is a very consistent reef, fairly exposed to the NW swell. Water temp is 54°F, which is much colder than normal for this time of year – a big anomaly of -4°F – so grab the thick rubber.
On Wednesday morning the 12th, we’ve got a 8ft NW swell with a short period of 8 seconds, moderate wave energy (765). There’s a light cross-shore breeze, so it’s not too choppy, but the surf is marginal with questionable tides. Wednesday afternoon gets blown out. Thursday the 13th brings a 7ft NW swell in the morning with a light offshore wind – that’s clean – but the period is still short at 8 seconds, and the energy is moderate (837). Still marginal. By afternoon the wind shifts cross-shore and ruins it.
From Friday the 14th through Monday the 17th, the swell drops under 3ft with weak to moderate energy, and the wind is mostly cross or onshore. Not worth paddling.
Then, on Tuesday the 18th of August, we get a 6ft NW swell (7-second period) with a fresh cross-offshore wind from the NNW at 19 mph. The wave energy is moderate (548) and the conditions are clean. That morning is the standout of the whole run – solid, clean waves at a reef that handles NW swell well. This is your best bet. But keep in mind: 6ft is getting big for beginners, and the short period might make it a bit lumpy.
After that, Wednesday the 19th holds 7ft NW swell in the morning with a cross-shore wind and moderate energy (632). The afternoon cleans up but is still marginal. Thursday the 20th into Friday the 21st drops to 3ft with a longer period (11-12 seconds) – that’s groundswell, good for points and reefs – but the wind is still a problem, and the surf is poor.
The last real look is on Sunday the 23rd of August: a 6ft WNW swell with a 9-second period, light cross-onshore wind, and strong wave energy (899). It’s marginal, but that energy is worth noting.
Best session of the fortnight? Tuesday morning the 18th of August at Point Arena. Clean, solid NW swell, fresh cross-off wind. Be there.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 12°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sat morning, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | 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 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 765 | 701 | 728 | 634 | 470 | 309 | 189 | 147 | 130 | 100 | 82 | 77 | 60 | 31 | 103 | 68 | 88 | 292 | 309 | 336 | 499 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | on | cross | glassy | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:09PM1.55m | 11:16PM2.11m | 12:44PM1.63m | 00:06AM1.99m | 1:19PM1.70m | 00:57AM1.83m | 1:55PM1.75m | 1:50AM1.63m | 2:30PM1.76m | 2:47AM1.43m | 3:07PM1.75m | 3:54AM1.25m | 3:46PM1.72m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:14PM0.65m | 6:14AM-0.28m | 6:08PM0.55m | 6:52AM-0.14m | 7:01PM0.47m | 7:29AM0.04m | 7:55PM0.41m | 8:04AM0.24m | 8:51PM0.37m | 8:39AM0.46m | 9:51PM0.35m | 9:14AM0.66m | 10:57PM0.34m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — |
 | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | NW 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NW 6 | NW 6 | SSW 15 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 765 | 179 | 326 | 634 | 470 | 309 | 189 | 147 | 130 | 608 | 380 | 77 | 519 | 463 | 103 | 68 | 334 | 226 | 239 | 357 | 291 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 18 | SSW 13 | WNW 13 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SSW 19 | SSW 18 | NW 7 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | NW 6 | NNW 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | W 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 |
| kJ | 204 | 67 | 34 | 203 | 251 | 245 | 223 | 277 | 360 | 100 | 120 | 627 | 60 | 19 | 405 | 405 | 39 | 330 | 268 | 42 | 105 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | WNW 12 | W 17 | S 11 | WNW 12 | S 11 | SSW 20 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | WNW 10 | SSE 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 9 | SSE 11 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | S 10 | SSW 13 |
| kJ | 56 | 15 | 5 | 21 | 29 | 20 | 149 | 138 | 214 | 35 | 47 | 34 | 32 | 29 | 37 | 41 | 11 | 62 | 62 | 2 | 65 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 7 | — | — | NW 6 | — | — | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 |
| kJ | — | 701 | 728 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 82 | — | — | 31 | — | — | 88 | 292 | 309 | 336 | 499 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 46 | 120 | 4 | 16 | 265 | 0 | 46 | 120 | 7 | 46 | 125 | 0 | 46 | 120 | 4 | 46 | 125 | 43 | 145 | 265 | 72 |
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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