Surf Forecasts:
Redwood Creek surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NW swell with 794 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period with NW 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 Tuesday (Aug 18) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 15s. 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redwood Creek over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again, and I’ve got to be honest with you – Redwood Creek (Humboldt County) is looking like a tough sell over the next two weeks. This is a river mouth that rarely breaks, and the data is not doing it any favors. We’re looking at a long, drawn-out stretch of poor to marginal conditions, with very few moments worth paddling for.
The water temp is running about 54° which is a good bit colder than average for this time of year, so bring the thick rubber.
For the opening of the period, Monday the 17th into Tuesday the 18th we’ve got tiny swell – 2ft to 4ft – but the whole deal is rated as marginal. The light onshore breeze through Tuesday afternoon at 4ft will make it a choppy mess. Not the kind of thing you want to drive for.
Wednesday the 19th sees a jump in size, 5ft both morning and afternoon, from the NW, and the combined swell energy hits moderate numbers. But it’s short period stuff (7 seconds), so it’s weak, bumpy, and the wind is crossing onshore. Not clean, not recommended.
From Thursday the 20th through the weekend of the 23rd-24th, it’s basically a write-off. Swell runs small, often under 3ft, and the wind swings between light onshores and cross-onshores. A couple of those days, like Saturday 22nd afternoon, the swell jumps to 7ft but with a 7-second period and onshore wind – that’s just a washing machine. Those low scores for surf conditions tell the story.
There is one tiny glimmer. Late on Monday the 24th of August, the wind drops to glassy. Swell is tiny – just 2ft – and it’s coming in from the SW with a very long period of 18 seconds. For a long period like that, a river mouth can sometimes focus that energy into a clean little wave. The wave energy is moderate, so it’s weak, but for a glassy session on a log, maybe there’s a fun little wave for someone. It’s not for beginners though; that period will make it weird and sucky.
After that, it’s back to the grind. The last week of August into September 1st is all small, short period, onshore, and marginal. Nothing stands out. The break is inconsistent at the best of times, and this window just doesn’t deliver the right combo.
So honestly, this is one where you probably don’t waste the fuel. If you absolutely have to get wet, glassy conditions on the 24th might give you a weird, slow, long period wave, but it’s a long shot for a river mouth. Otherwise, leave the boards on the rack and wait for a proper swell with clean wind.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | SW 14 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
169 | 206 | 143 | 200 | 311 | 218 | 234 | 237 | 217 | 194 | 153 | 115 | 106 | 78 | 69 | 485 | 608 | 446 | 364 | 276 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-off | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:37PM2.57m | 4:24AM1.98m | 4:15PM2.50m | 5:37AM1.83m | 4:57PM2.43m | 7:08AM1.75m | 5:48PM2.36m | 8:45AM1.77m | 6:49PM2.33m | 9:55AM1.85m | 7:52PM2.35m | 10:39AM1.93m | 8:50PM2.41m | |||||||
Low Tide | 10:20PM0.79m | 9:48AM1.17m | 11:20PM0.80m | 10:27AM1.37m | 00:25AM0.81m | 11:15AM1.53m | 1:35AM0.79m | 12:24PM1.63m | 2:40AM0.72m | 1:46PM1.66m | 3:33AM0.63m | 2:55PM1.63m | 4:17AM0.54m | |||||||
— | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 16 |
Feels °C | 21 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 21 | 20 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 6 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 |
131 | 206 | 143 | 200 | 311 | 218 | 234 | 153 | 79 | 194 | 153 | 115 | 106 | 56 | 69 | 485 | 608 | 446 | 364 | 276 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SW 13 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
169 | 134 | 137 | 130 | 135 | 198 | 173 | 237 | 217 | 61 | 55 | 53 | 57 | 78 | 54 | 27 | 94 | 58 | 166 | 108 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | SSW 10 | WNW 15 | WNW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 18 | — | WSW 16 | SSW 12 | WNW 11 |
38 | 10 | 45 | 70 | 206 | 88 | 137 | 137 | 102 | 97 | 100 | 100 | 62 | 44 | 44 | 78 | — | 24 | 14 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 55 | 4 | 55 | 51 | 4 | 376 | 55 | 4 | 118 | 55 | 4 | 55 | 55 | 4 | 55 | 141 | 4 | 55 | 55 | 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.











