Swell Intel

Jug Handle State Reserve Surf Forecast

Northern California

Jug Handle State Reserve surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor
Wave Height
6-7+ft
overhead
Swell Period
8.55s
Wind
22mph
N / Gusts 35mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
1.0ft @ 16sSW
Secondary
0.6ft @ 12sSSW
Wind Swell
8.3ft @ 9sNW

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Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Rock
Level
Advanced
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
NW
Best Wind
E
Season
Winter

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.

RocksStrong currentsCold waterSharksIsolated locationHeavy shore break

Forecast Charts

Daily Forecast

Thu, Mar 26Poor

A slow one — 6-7ft waves and poor conditions with calm winds.

6am9am12pm3pm
16s SW|Calm
Fri, Mar 27Fair - Good

Dawn patrol is the move — 8-9ft on NW swell at 10s with barely a breath of wind. Surf tapers off through the afternoon to 6-7ft.

6am9am12pm3pm
10s NW|Calm
Sat, Mar 28Fair - Good

Consistent 6-7ft surf through the day on NW swell at 10s with glassy conditions.

6am9am12pm3pm
10s NW|Calm
Sun, Mar 29Fair - Good

Early morning is your best window — 4-5ft waves on NW swell at 7s with glassy conditions. Surf tapers off through the afternoon to 3-4ft.

6am9am12pm3pm
7s NW|Calm
Mon, Mar 30Fair

Midday is the call — 2-3ft waves with glassy conditions and fair conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.

6am9am12pm3pm
9s WNW|Calm

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Jug Handle State Reserve Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Jug Handle State Reserve?
The current wave height at Jug Handle State Reserve is 6-7+ft with a 8.55s swell period. Wind is N at 22mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Jug Handle State Reserve surf forecast?
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.