Surf Forecasts:
Redwood Creek surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 29 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, NW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 30 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, NW swell with 435 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with WNW 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Redwood Creek in the next 16 days are 2.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (PDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Sun 30th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Redwood Creek over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.
We’ve got a 16-day window, but honestly, the first week is a bit of a struggle. We’re looking at mostly small, weak swells with a lot of cross-onshore wind messing things up. The best bet on the whole horizon is the very end of the run – a promise of something bigger, but it’s a long way off.
Redwood Creek is our only spot, and it’s a river mouth that rarely breaks. The first week is a real grind. From Wednesday the 26th through to Monday the 7th of September, the swell is tiny, mostly under 3ft, with a few exceptions. The wind is nearly always a cross-onshore, which chops the surface up. The water temp is sitting at 59°, about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
There are a few mornings with that light offshore wind, like Saturday the 29th of August with a 2ft SW swell (very long 18-second period, combined energy of 307), but the size is so small and the break is so inconsistent it’s really just a knee-high wobbler. Not worth paddling out for.
The real interest is in the second week. The swell starts to build. On the 8th of September, Tuesday morning, we’re looking at a 5ft NW swell (9 seconds, combined energy of 520) with a light cross-onshore. That’s still a bit messy. But then Tuesday afternoon, the wind shifts to a light offshore, and the swell jumps to 12ft from the NW with an 8-second period and a combined energy of 1681. That’s a lot of juice, but that short period and that size at a river mouth? That’s expert-only territory, and it’s going to be a thumping, short-interval closeout. The Wednesday morning (9th of September) is similar, 8ft NW (9 seconds, 1083 energy) with a light offshore, which is a bit more manageable but still heavy.
The standout window is from the 8th of September onwards. The north-west swell is pumping, but the quality is going to be a question mark with that short period. For a river break, you want a longer period to get some shape, but this is just raw power. That Tuesday afternoon (8th of September) with the offshore wind and 12ft swell is the biggest, most powerful day on offer. It’s the one to circle on the calendar, but keep your expectations in check for the shape. The crowd factor is listed as “often” here, so when it’s on, you won’t be alone.
In summary, the first week is a washout. The second week gets big, but it’s a short-period, expert-only affair. The best of the lot is the 8th of September afternoon, but it’s going to be heavy and raw. Conditions are more interesting for kite surfing than a standard paddle session on the 8th of September afternoon.
Stay patient, and check back in a few days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 11°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 17°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | SW 14 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | NW 7 | SW 16 | SW 16 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | NW 9 | NW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
124 | 159 | 118 | 122 | 132 | 140 | 151 | 169 | 179 | 152 | 312 | 248 | 306 | 336 | 277 | 169 | 130 | 125 | 87 | 166 | 178 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross-on | off | on | cross-on | off | on | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 12:05PM2.19m | 11:08PM2.58m | 12:30PM2.28m | 11:49PM2.57m | 12:54PM2.37m | 00:31AM2.52m | 1:20PM2.46m | 1:15AM2.43m | 1:46PM2.54m | 2:01AM2.31m | 2:16PM2.59m | 2:53AM2.16m | 2:49PM2.62m | 3:53AM2.01m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:16PM1.32m | 5:59AM0.41m | 5:56PM1.18m | 6:29AM0.45m | 6:36PM1.04m | 6:58AM0.54m | 7:18PM0.90m | 7:28AM0.68m | 8:01PM0.79m | 7:58AM0.84m | 8:47PM0.70m | 8:30AM1.03m | 9:39PM0.64m | ||||||||
6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 7:59 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Feels °C | 19 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | SW 18 | NW 7 | NW 7 | SW 16 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 |
124 | 159 | 35 | 122 | 125 | 140 | 151 | 93 | 150 | 116 | 312 | 200 | 212 | 245 | 277 | 128 | 73 | 44 | 79 | 166 | 178 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | W 12 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | NW 8 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | NW 7 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
85 | 46 | 118 | 103 | 132 | 102 | 127 | 57 | 179 | 152 | 54 | 248 | 306 | 10 | 171 | 169 | 130 | 125 | 29 | 85 | 84 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | WSW 13 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 12 | W 13 | W 10 | W 11 | — | SW 21 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | SW 13 | SW 18 | SW 18 |
19 | 9 | 71 | 58 | 58 | 33 | 70 | 169 | 87 | 39 | 13 | 7 | 10 | — | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 87 | 50 | 49 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 7 | — | — | NW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 284 | — | — | 336 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 344 | 55 | 4 | 55 | 514 | 4 | 344 | 514 | 4 | 514 | 869 | 4 | 376 | 514 | 4 | 55 | 514 | 4 | 230 | 55 | 4 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Humboldt County | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











