Northern California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Caspar Beach, Northern 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: 6–7ft, 12s period, rated Poor - Fair. Afternoon is the play — morning is only poor - fair at 7-8ft. Afternoon shapes up better with 6-7ft and poor conditions.
Mon, May 11: 6–7ft, 11s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 7-8ft waves on WNW swell at 11s and light winds out of the NNE. Onshore flow builds through the day to 13mph, bringing conditions down to fair.
Tue, May 12: 5–6ft, 11s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 5-6ft waves on WNW swell at 11s and glassy conditions. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and fair by then.
Wed, May 13: 5–6ft, 13s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 5-6ft waves on WNW swell at 11s and 9mph from the SE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Thu, May 14: 4–5ft, 12s period, rated Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 4-5ft waves, gentle NNW breeze, fair - good conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up. Sea breeze fills back in by mid-afternoon so get on it early.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Caspar Beach is a mellow, sand-bottomed beach break on the Mendocino County coast that offers forgiving waves perfect for surfers building their skills. The beach faces northeast, catching swell from the northwest with consistent autumn and winter swells rolling through the Pacific. This remote Northern California gem stays uncrowded thanks to its rural location, making it an ideal destination for surfers seeking peaceful sessions away from the busy coastal crowds.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Caspar Beach is 6-8ft with a 11.55s swell period. Wind is N at 19mph 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 Caspar Beach is 6-8ft, produced by a 3.6ft W primary swell at 12s, a 0.9ft SW secondary swell at 16s, a 0.8ft SW tertiary swell at 18s, a 4.7ft WNW wind swell swell at 7s. 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 Caspar Beach is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 7ft waves, a 10.95s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Caspar Beach works best with a WNW 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 Caspar 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.
Caspar Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Caspar Beach is a mellow, sand-bottomed beach break on the Mendocino County coast that offers forgiving waves perfect for surfers building their skills. The beach faces northeast, catching swell from the northwest with consistent autumn and winter swells rolling through the Pacific. This remote Northern California gem stays uncrowded thanks to its rural location, making it an ideal destination for surfers seeking peaceful sessions away from the busy coastal crowds.
The prime season at Caspar Beach 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 Caspar Beach include strong rip currents, cold water temperatures, occasional logs and driftwood. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Caspar 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
