Northern California
Best window·Sunday 8AM–11AM·4ft·Fair - Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Needle Rock, 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: 3–4ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Aim for the middle of the day — 3-4ft on WNW swell at 6s with glassy conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Thu, Jun 25: 3–4ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on WNW swell at 7s and 7mph from the NNE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Fri, Jun 26: 3–4ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on WSW swell at 8s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 8mph from the WNW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Sat, Jun 27: 4–5ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on WNW swell at 9s with gentle N breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 14mph from the WNW and dropping conditions to very poor.
Sun, Jun 28: 5–6ft, 9s period, rated Fair - Good. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on WNW swell at 9s with light NNE winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 16mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Needle Rock is a rugged reef break along Northern California's dramatic coastline, where rocky outcroppings create predictable wave formations when swell wraps around the point. The break works best during autumn when Pacific swells approach from the northwest, peeling consistently across the reef structure. This exposed, less-crowded spot rewards experienced surfers with quality waves and stunning coastal scenery.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Needle Rock is 2-3ft with a 17.65s swell period. Wind is WSW at 4mph 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 Needle Rock is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.9ft WNW primary swell at 6s, a 1.6ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 1.3ft 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Needle Rock is Sunday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 4ft waves, a 9.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Needle Rock 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 Needle Rock. 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.
Needle Rock is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Needle Rock is a rugged reef break along Northern California's dramatic coastline, where rocky outcroppings create predictable wave formations when swell wraps around the point. The break works best during autumn when Pacific swells approach from the northwest, peeling consistently across the reef structure. This exposed, less-crowded spot rewards experienced surfers with quality waves and stunning coastal scenery.
The prime season at Needle Rock 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 Needle Rock include rocks, strong currents, shallow reef, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Needle Rock 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.
