Ventura County, California
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals, Ventura County, 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: 1–1ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and poor with calm winds.
Thu, Jun 25: 1–1ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and very poor with light winds out of the S.
Fri, Jun 26: 0–1ft, 15s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light S winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 8mph.
Sat, Jun 27: 1–1ft, 18s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1ft and mostly very poor with light winds out of the ESE. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 7mph.
Sun, Jun 28: 1–1ft, 17s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with light winds out of the E. Expect the wind to bump up to around 8mph by PM.
Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals is a classic Southern California point break where waves peel along a rocky shoreline, offering longer, more workable rides than many nearby beach breaks. The spot picks up consistent swell from the west and southwest, with the rocky point formation creating defined wave shape and the potential for extended walls during quality swells. This scenic stretch of Ventura County coastline delivers fun intermediate-friendly waves without the intensity of heavier reef breaks, making it a rewarding destination during the best autumn swell season.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals is 1ft with a 17s swell period. Wind is W at 5mph 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 Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals is 1ft, produced by a 0.7ft SSW primary swell at 17s, a 0.7ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.4ft S tertiary swell at 11s, a 0.6ft WSW wind swell swell at 4s. 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 Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals is Wednesday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 1ft waves, a 17s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals 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 Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals. 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.
Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals is a point with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals is a classic Southern California point break where waves peel along a rocky shoreline, offering longer, more workable rides than many nearby beach breaks. The spot picks up consistent swell from the west and southwest, with the rocky point formation creating defined wave shape and the potential for extended walls during quality swells. This scenic stretch of Ventura County coastline delivers fun intermediate-friendly waves without the intensity of heavier reef breaks, making it a rewarding destination during the best autumn swell season.
The prime season at Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals 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 Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals include rocks, sea urchins, strong currents, localism. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals 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.
