Washington
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cape Flattery, Washington. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 4–5ft, 10s period, rated Fair. Expect 4-5ft all day on WSW swell at 10s with light WSW winds — nothing amazing but surfable.
Mon, May 11: 4–5ft, 10s period, rated Fair. Skip the dawn patrol — 4-5ft and fair early on. Afternoon shapes up better with 4-5ft and fair - good conditions.
Tue, May 12: 3–4ft, 11s period, rated Fair - Good. Expect 3-4ft all day on W swell at 11s with 8mph from the E — nothing amazing but surfable.
Wed, May 13: 4–5ft, 12s period, rated Fair. Steady 4-5ft waves on offer on W swell at 10s — light SW winds.
Thu, May 14: 3–4ft, 11s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 3-4ft and poor - fair conditions with 8mph from the SW.
12s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Cape Flattery sits at the extreme northwestern tip of Washington state, the most northwesterly point of the contiguous United States, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the open Pacific Ocean. Powerful, raw swells generated across the vast North Pacific arrive here largely unfiltered, producing heavy, unpredictable waves that break over rugged rocky shelves and reef formations. The remote wilderness setting within the Makah Reservation means this spot rewards only the most committed and experienced surfers willing to make the journey to one of the most isolated surf locations in Washington.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cape Flattery is 4-5ft with a 10.3s swell period. Wind is WSW at 7mph 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 Cape Flattery is 4-5ft, produced by a 5.2ft WSW primary swell at 10s, a 0.9ft SW secondary swell at 17s, a 0.7ft SW tertiary swell at 12s. 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 Cape Flattery is Monday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 5ft waves, a 10.35s swell period, and conditions rated Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cape Flattery 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 Cape Flattery. 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.
Cape Flattery is a point with a rock bottom, suited to expert surfers. Cape Flattery sits at the extreme northwestern tip of Washington state, the most northwesterly point of the contiguous United States, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the open Pacific Ocean. Powerful, raw swells generated across the vast North Pacific arrive here largely unfiltered, producing heavy, unpredictable waves that break over rugged rocky shelves and reef formations. The remote wilderness setting within the Makah Reservation means this spot rewards only the most committed and experienced surfers willing to make the journey to one of the most isolated surf locations in Washington.
The prime season at Cape Flattery 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.
Common hazards at Cape Flattery include rocks, strong currents, cold water, remote location, limited access, large surf, kelp, wildlife, restricted tribal land access. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cape Flattery 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.
