Northern California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Klamath River, 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: 5–6ft, 11s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 5-6ft waves on W swell at 10s and moderate NNW wind around 11mph.
Mon, May 11: 4–5ft, 11s period, rated Fair. Expect 4-5ft all day on W swell at 11s with barely a breath of wind — nothing amazing but surfable. Expect the wind to bump up to around 7mph by PM.
Tue, May 12: 4–5ft, 11s period, rated Fair. Consistent 4-5ft surf through the day on W swell at 11s with light winds out of the S.
Wed, May 13: 4–5ft, 13s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on W swell at 11s with gentle SSE breeze. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Thu, May 14: 3–4ft, 12s period, rated Fair. Expect 4-5ft all day on W swell at 10s with barely a breath of wind — nothing amazing but surfable. Expect the wind to bump up to around 5mph by PM.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
The Klamath River mouth is a regional classic that can produce long, barreling rides of 150-300 meters when sandbars align with incoming NW swell. The constantly shifting sandbars from the river outflow create unpredictable but rewarding conditions for experienced surfers. However, the salmon runs attract seals, which attract great white sharks — multiple shark attacks have been documented here, making it one of the higher-risk spots on the California coast.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Klamath River is 5-6ft with a 10.6s swell period. Wind is NNW at 10mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Klamath River is 5-6ft, produced by a 3.1ft W primary swell at 10s, a 2.1ft WNW secondary swell at 12s, a 0.7ft SW tertiary swell at 16s, a 2.7ft NW wind swell swell at 5s. 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 Klamath River is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 5ft waves, a 10.75s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Klamath River 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.
Tide plays a big role at Klamath River. 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.
Klamath River is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to advanced surfers. The Klamath River mouth is a regional classic that can produce long, barreling rides of 150-300 meters when sandbars align with incoming NW swell. The constantly shifting sandbars from the river outflow create unpredictable but rewarding conditions for experienced surfers. However, the salmon runs attract seals, which attract great white sharks — multiple shark attacks have been documented here, making it one of the higher-risk spots on the California coast.
The prime season at Klamath River 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 Klamath River include great white sharks, strong currents, shifting sandbars, cold water, isolation, river debris. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Klamath River 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.
