Northern California
Best window·Sunday 7AM–10AM·4ft·Fair - Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Anderson Beach, Northern California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Wed, Jun 24: 3–5ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Consistent 3-5ft surf through the day on WNW swell at 6s with calm winds.
Thu, Jun 25: 3–5ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-5ft waves on WNW swell at 7s and light NNW winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Fri, Jun 26: 3–5ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Consistent 3-5ft surf through the day on WNW swell at 5s with glassy conditions. Afternoon breeze fills in to 8mph.
Sat, Jun 27: 6–7ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-5ft on WNW swell at 8s with light winds out of the NNW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 14mph from the WNW and dropping conditions to very poor.
Sun, Jun 28: 6–7ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 4-5ft waves on WNW swell at 9s with light winds out of the NNE. The NW wind kicks in by afternoon — 16mph and very poor by then.
Anderson Beach is a remote Northern California gem located along the rugged Mendocino County coastline, where consistent northwest swells wrap into the cove to produce punchy, hollow beach break peaks. The beach faces roughly eastward in orientation relative to the transect, benefiting from offshore winds that blow from the inland hills and valleys, cleaning up the faces nicely during morning glass sessions. Its isolation along this sparsely populated stretch of the Northern California coast means crowds are rarely an issue, rewarding those willing to make the journey with uncrowded waves.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Anderson Beach is 3-4+ft with a 17.7s swell period. Wind is SW at 5mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Anderson Beach is 3-4+ft, produced by a 2.7ft WNW primary swell at 6s, a 1.6ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 1.3ft SSW tertiary swell at 18s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Anderson Beach is Sunday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 4ft waves, a 9s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Anderson Beach works best with a W swell and E winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Anderson Beach. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Anderson Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Anderson Beach is a remote Northern California gem located along the rugged Mendocino County coastline, where consistent northwest swells wrap into the cove to produce punchy, hollow beach break peaks. The beach faces roughly eastward in orientation relative to the transect, benefiting from offshore winds that blow from the inland hills and valleys, cleaning up the faces nicely during morning glass sessions. Its isolation along this sparsely populated stretch of the Northern California coast means crowds are rarely an issue, rewarding those willing to make the journey with uncrowded waves.
The prime season at Anderson Beach is winter, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Anderson Beach include cold water, strong currents, sharks, rocky shoreline, rip tides, remote location with limited access. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Anderson Beach forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
