Swell Intel

Cabrillo Point Surf Forecast, Los Angeles County, California

Los Angeles County, California

Cabrillo Point surf spot

Current Conditions

Fair
Wave Height
2-3ft
knee to waist high
Swell Period
17.85s
Wind
8mph
SW / Gusts 9mph
Conditions
Fair
Active Swells
Primary
1.2ft @ 7sW
Secondary
1.0ft @ 18sSSW
Tertiary
0.7ft @ 9sW

Cabrillo Point 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cabrillo Point, Los Angeles County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.

Sun, May 10: 23ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Afternoon is the play — morning is only fair at 2-3ft. Things come together by the afternoon with 2-3ft at poor - fair.

Mon, May 11: 23ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SW swell at 15s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.

Tue, May 12: 23ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 15s and light winds out of the S. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.

Wed, May 13: 12ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light SSE winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.

Thu, May 14: 23ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on S swell at 13s with gentle SSE breeze. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.

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Daily Forecast

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Swell building Wed, May 13Poor

15s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast

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Forecast Charts

Cabrillo Point Surf Spot Guide

Break
Point
Bottom
Rock
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
S
Best Wind
E
Season
Fall

Cabrillo Point is a rocky point break that wraps around a prominent headland in the Palos Verdes Peninsula area, offering multiple peaks and directions depending on swell angle. The break benefits from southern hemisphere swells in fall and winter, with the point's northeastern exposure allowing it to pick up consistent waves while the rocky point structure creates peeling, shapeable sections. The rocky bottom provides excellent wave shape and offers protection from larger swells compared to nearby beach breaks, making it a quality intermediate-friendly option when conditions align.

RocksSharp reefStrong currentsLocalism

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Cabrillo Point Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Cabrillo Point?

The current wave height at Cabrillo Point is 2-3ft with a 17.85s swell period. Wind is SW at 8mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at Cabrillo Point?

The current breaking wave height at Cabrillo Point is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.2ft W primary swell at 7s, a 1ft SSW secondary swell at 18s, a 0.7ft W tertiary swell at 9s. 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.

When is the best time to surf Cabrillo Point?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Cabrillo Point is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 16.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at Cabrillo Point?

Cabrillo Point works best with a S 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.

What tide is best at Cabrillo Point?

Tide plays a big role at Cabrillo Point. 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.

What kind of wave is Cabrillo Point and who is it for?

Cabrillo Point is a point with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Cabrillo Point is a rocky point break that wraps around a prominent headland in the Palos Verdes Peninsula area, offering multiple peaks and directions depending on swell angle. The break benefits from southern hemisphere swells in fall and winter, with the point's northeastern exposure allowing it to pick up consistent waves while the rocky point structure creates peeling, shapeable sections. The rocky bottom provides excellent wave shape and offers protection from larger swells compared to nearby beach breaks, making it a quality intermediate-friendly option when conditions align.

When is the best season to surf Cabrillo Point?

The prime season at Cabrillo Point is fall, 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.

Are there any hazards to know about at Cabrillo Point?

Common hazards at Cabrillo Point include rocks, sharp reef, strong currents, localism. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the Cabrillo Point surf forecast?

Our Cabrillo Point 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.