Northern California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Palmers Point, 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 - Fair. A slow one — 6-7ft waves and poor - fair conditions with moderate N wind around 11mph.
Mon, May 11: 6–7ft, 11s period, rated Fair. Consistent 6-7ft surf through the day on W swell at 11s with gentle SW breeze.
Tue, May 12: 5–6ft, 11s period, rated Fair. Expect 5-6ft all day on W swell at 11s with light winds out of the SSW — nothing amazing but surfable.
Wed, May 13: 5–6ft, 13s period, rated Fair. Hold off if you can — morning starts out fair with 5-6ft waves. Wind drops off and the surface cleans up — fair by afternoon.
Thu, May 14: 4–5ft, 12s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 4-5ft on W swell at 10s with glassy conditions. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Palmers Point is a rocky point break located on the rugged Humboldt County coastline where consistent Pacific swells wrap around the headland to create peeling, well-defined waves. The ESE-facing point produces quality shape across a variety of swell directions, with particularly strong performance during autumn when larger Pacific storms send organized groundswell toward the California coast. This relatively secluded spot offers a genuine local vibe with manageable crowds and rewards surfers with the skill to navigate the rocky bottom and changing conditions.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Palmers Point is 5-7ft with a 11.55s swell period. Wind is N at 11mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Palmers Point is 5-7ft, produced by a 3.8ft W primary swell at 12s, a 0.7ft SW secondary swell at 16s, a 0.7ft SW tertiary swell at 18s, a 2.7ft NW wind swell swell at 6s. 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 Palmers Point is Wednesday from 12 PM to 3 PM with 6ft waves, a 12.4s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Palmers Point 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 Palmers Point. 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.
Palmers Point is a point with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Palmers Point is a rocky point break located on the rugged Humboldt County coastline where consistent Pacific swells wrap around the headland to create peeling, well-defined waves. The ESE-facing point produces quality shape across a variety of swell directions, with particularly strong performance during autumn when larger Pacific storms send organized groundswell toward the California coast. This relatively secluded spot offers a genuine local vibe with manageable crowds and rewards surfers with the skill to navigate the rocky bottom and changing conditions.
The prime season at Palmers Point 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 Palmers Point include rocks, strong currents, cold water, remote location. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Palmers Point 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.
