
Surf Forecasts:
Redwood Creek surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 8s period, NW swell with 424 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 16s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Redwood Creek this week:
The surf forecast for Redwood Creek over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 16s period with a secondary swell of 1.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Redwood Creek in the next 16 days are 1.8m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 11) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redwood Creek over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright surfers, Rusty here again. Let’s break down the Redwood Creek outlook in feet and miles.
This is a tough run. For the first week and a half, from now until the 16th of September, the surf is mostly small and messy. There’s a big gap of days with weak, cross-onshore wind and tiny waves that aren’t worth the drive.
The first real chance for a clean session is the morning of the 8th (Tuesday) when the wind goes glassy. The swell is small, about 2-4 ft from the NW with a short period of 7 seconds. The combined energy is moderate at 278. It’s clean, but weak and a bit crumbly. A fun longboard morning, but nothing special. The water temp is about normal for this time of year.
The big one, the only day I’m really looking at, is the 17th of September (Thursday). The morning brings 8 ft swell from the WNW with a long period of 12 seconds, and the afternoon hits 10 ft from the same direction. The combined energy in the afternoon is a strong 2418. That’s proper power. Problem is, the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s going to be raw and bumpy. At over 8 ft, this is for experts only. The long period means lully sets, but the waves will have a lot of push. This is a big-wave session, not a beginner’s day.
The 18th of September (Friday) holds similar size at 8 ft from the NW with an 11 second period, but the wind is worse, especially in the afternoon. The morning is the better window with a light breeze and moderate energy of 1599. It’s still cross-onshore, so it’s a bit of a grind, but there’s plenty of power.
The swell then fades through the 19th and 20th, with energy dropping into the 800s and 600s and the wind staying cross-onshore. Surfable, but not the main event.
Remember, Redwood Creek is a river break that rarely breaks, and it’s exposed to the west. The long period swells on the 17th and 18th will tend to close out here, making it a tough paddle. And crowds are often, so expect company.
The best call is the morning of the 17th for the big swell, but it’s windy and expert-only. The 8th is a clean, small alternative. The rest is a write-off.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 9 | SW 16 | NW 9 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
378 | 251 | 237 | 276 | 212 | 209 | 169 | 164 | 263 | 269 | 151 | 135 | 194 | 104 | 131 | 192 | 238 | 277 | 314 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-on | off | glassy | glassy | off | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 8:13AM1.87m | 6:35PM2.57m | 9:22AM1.98m | 7:52PM2.60m | 10:11AM2.12m | 9:02PM2.66m | 10:51AM2.26m | 10:03PM2.70m | 11:27AM2.40m | 10:59PM2.70m | 12:00PM2.52m | 11:51PM2.66m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:06AM0.52m | 12:15PM1.60m | 2:18AM0.43m | 1:48PM1.58m | 3:19AM0.33m | 3:05PM1.45m | 4:11AM0.27m | 4:08PM1.26m | 4:56AM0.26m | 5:01PM1.05m | 5:36AM0.32m | 5:51PM0.86m | |||||||
— | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 6 | SW 14 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 |
378 | 237 | 237 | 164 | 126 | 107 | 80 | 74 | 123 | 269 | 151 | 135 | 194 | 104 | 82 | 60 | 65 | 205 | 299 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | WNW 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 12 | SW 19 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SW 16 |
326 | 251 | 201 | 276 | 212 | 209 | 169 | 164 | 56 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 84 | 59 | 131 | 158 | 149 | 130 | 314 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | WNW 14 | SSW 10 | WNW 14 | SW 11 | WNW 12 | SW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | SW 18 | WNW 9 | SW 12 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 17 | WNW 10 |
14 | 57 | 53 | 41 | 22 | 37 | 30 | 57 | 15 | 25 | 40 | 20 | 83 | 31 | 73 | 192 | 238 | 277 | 80 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 263 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 4 | 55 | 790 | 4 | 55 | 55 | 4 | 164 | 142 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 55 | 15 | 4 | 55 | 13 | 4 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Redwood Creek Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Redwood Creek provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Redwood Creek can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Redwood Creek 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 (Redwood Creek) 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 Redwood Creek 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.
Redwood Creek is 38 km (24 miles) from McKinleyville. If you plan a vacation in Humboldt County, look for hotels and other accommodation in McKinleyville. McKinleyville has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










