Washington
Best window·Sunday 6AM–9AM·5ft·Fair
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.
Wed, Jun 24: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and poor - fair with calm winds.
Thu, Jun 25: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on WNW swell at 6s with light W winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Fri, Jun 26: 3–4ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 5s with 8mph SW winds. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Sat, Jun 27: 5–6ft, 16s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 4-5ft waves on W swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, Jun 28: 5–6ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 5-6ft on W swell at 9s with gentle SSE breeze. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
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 2-3ft with a 6.75s swell period. Wind is WSW at 6mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Cape Flattery is 2-3ft, produced by a 3.9ft WNW primary swell at 7s, a 1.2ft SW secondary swell at 13s, a 0.9ft W tertiary swell at 11s. 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 Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 5ft waves, a 9.25s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
