Northern California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Caspar Headlands, 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. Skip the dawn patrol — 6-7ft and poor - fair early on. Things come together by the afternoon with 6-7ft at poor.
Mon, May 11: 6–7ft, 11s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 6-7ft waves on WNW swell at 11s and gentle NNE breeze. The N wind kicks in by afternoon — 13mph and fair by then.
Tue, May 12: 4–5ft, 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. First light looks cleanest — 5-6ft on WNW swell at 11s with 9mph from the SE. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Thu, May 14: 4–5ft, 12s period, rated Fair. Aim for the middle of the day — 4-5ft on W swell at 11s with light NNW winds. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Caspar Headlands is a dramatic rocky point break located on the rugged Mendocino County coastline, offering consistent, well-shaped waves that peel along the headland's contours. The break works best during fall and winter swells when Pacific groundswell wraps around the point, creating long, rideable walls perfect for intermediate surfers seeking uncrowded waves. The isolated location and rocky terrain keep crowds minimal, making it an ideal spot for those willing to navigate the coastal access and respect the powerful ocean dynamics of Northern California's wild coast.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Caspar Headlands is 5-7ft 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 Headlands is 5-7ft, 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 Headlands 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 Headlands 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 Caspar Headlands. 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 Headlands is a point with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Caspar Headlands is a dramatic rocky point break located on the rugged Mendocino County coastline, offering consistent, well-shaped waves that peel along the headland's contours. The break works best during fall and winter swells when Pacific groundswell wraps around the point, creating long, rideable walls perfect for intermediate surfers seeking uncrowded waves. The isolated location and rocky terrain keep crowds minimal, making it an ideal spot for those willing to navigate the coastal access and respect the powerful ocean dynamics of Northern California's wild coast.
The prime season at Caspar Headlands 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 Headlands include rocks, strong currents, limited access, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Caspar Headlands 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.
