Swell Intel

DeHaven Creek Surf Forecast, Northern California

Northern California

Right now
Poor - Fair
overall conditions
2ft
knee to waist high
Cross-shore·WNW 4 mph
Swell2.6ft @ 6s WNW
TideMid, rising · high 8:09 PM

Best window·Sunday 6AM9AM·3ft·Fair - Good

DeHaven Creek 5-Day Forecast Summary

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

Wed, Jun 24: 22ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2ft and mostly poor - fair with glassy conditions.

Thu, Jun 25: 34ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 7mph from the NNW.

Fri, Jun 26: 22ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2ft and mostly poor - fair with barely a breath of wind. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 8mph.

Sat, Jun 27: 34ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on WNW swell at 9s with light N winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 12mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.

Sun, Jun 28: 56ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on WNW swell at 9s and light winds out of the NNE. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.

Daily Forecast

Try free
to unlock
Locked
Locked

DeHaven Creek Surf Spot Guide

Break
Rivermouth
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
NW
Best Wind
SE
Season
Winter

DeHaven Creek is a sheltered rivermouth break along the rugged Mendocino County coastline, where consistent winter swells wrap into the creek mouth and create peeling waves over sandy bottom. The protected nature of the creek and surrounding cliffs provides natural wind protection, making it ideal during strong offshore wind patterns. This lesser-known gem offers a more peaceful alternative to exposed coastal breaks, with mellower waves suitable for intermediate surfers seeking uncrowded lineups.

Rip currentsRocks near creek mouthChanging sandbarsOccasional logs

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

DeHaven Creek Surf Forecast FAQ

(9)

What is the current surf forecast for DeHaven Creek?

The current wave height at DeHaven Creek is 2ft with a 17.6s swell period. Wind is WNW at 4mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at DeHaven Creek?

The current breaking wave height at DeHaven Creek is 2ft, produced by a 2.6ft WNW primary swell at 6s, a 1.2ft SW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.9ft SSW tertiary swell at 18s. 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 DeHaven Creek?

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

What swell and wind direction work best at DeHaven Creek?

DeHaven Creek works best with a NW swell and SE 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 DeHaven Creek?

Tide plays a big role at DeHaven Creek. 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 DeHaven Creek and who is it for?

DeHaven Creek is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. DeHaven Creek is a sheltered rivermouth break along the rugged Mendocino County coastline, where consistent winter swells wrap into the creek mouth and create peeling waves over sandy bottom. The protected nature of the creek and surrounding cliffs provides natural wind protection, making it ideal during strong offshore wind patterns. This lesser-known gem offers a more peaceful alternative to exposed coastal breaks, with mellower waves suitable for intermediate surfers seeking uncrowded lineups.

When is the best season to surf DeHaven Creek?

The prime season at DeHaven Creek is winter, 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 DeHaven Creek?

Common hazards at DeHaven Creek include rip currents, rocks near creek mouth, changing sandbars, occasional logs. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the DeHaven Creek surf forecast?

Our DeHaven Creek 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.