Northern California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Jug Handle State Reserve, 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. Slim pickings today — 6-7ft and poor with 19mph N winds.
Mon, May 11: 5–6ft, 11s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 6-7ft on WNW swell at 11s with light winds out of the NNE. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 13mph from the N and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Tue, May 12: 4–5ft, 11s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 5-6ft on WNW swell at 11s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Wed, May 13: 4–5ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Afternoon is the play — morning is only good at 4-5ft. Afternoon shapes up better with 5-6ft and poor - fair conditions.
Thu, May 14: 4–5ft, 12s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on W swell at 11s with light winds out of the SSW. The NW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor - fair by then.
12s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Jug Handle State Reserve sits along the rugged Northern California coast near Caspar, offering raw and powerful surf shaped by the exposed rocky shoreline and consistent northwest swells that barrel down from the open Pacific. The spot's southeast-facing orientation means it picks up a good angle on the dominant winter groundswells, producing punchy, often hollow waves that reward experienced surfers willing to navigate the technical entry and exit over rocky terrain. Its remote character and limited access keep crowds minimal, making it a rewarding find for adventurous surfers exploring the wild Mendocino coast.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Jug Handle State Reserve is 5-7ft with a 11.55s swell period. Wind is N at 19mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Jug Handle State Reserve 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 Jug Handle State Reserve is Wednesday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 5ft waves, a 10.95s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Jug Handle State Reserve works best with a NW 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 Jug Handle State Reserve. 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.
Jug Handle State Reserve is a beach with a rock bottom, suited to advanced surfers. Jug Handle State Reserve sits along the rugged Northern California coast near Caspar, offering raw and powerful surf shaped by the exposed rocky shoreline and consistent northwest swells that barrel down from the open Pacific. The spot's southeast-facing orientation means it picks up a good angle on the dominant winter groundswells, producing punchy, often hollow waves that reward experienced surfers willing to navigate the technical entry and exit over rocky terrain. Its remote character and limited access keep crowds minimal, making it a rewarding find for adventurous surfers exploring the wild Mendocino coast.
The prime season at Jug Handle State Reserve 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.
Common hazards at Jug Handle State Reserve include rocks, strong currents, cold water, sharks, isolated location, heavy shore break. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Jug Handle State Reserve 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.
