Northern California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Secrets, 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: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 3-4ft and mostly poor - fair with strong NNW wind at 17mph.
Mon, May 11: 4–5ft, 11s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on WNW swell at 8s with light NNW winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Tue, May 12: 4–5ft, 11s period, rated Fair. Consistent 4-5ft surf through the day on WNW swell at 11s with glassy conditions. Afternoon breeze fills in to 7mph.
Wed, May 13: 4–5ft, 13s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on WNW swell at 11s with barely a breath of wind. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 6mph and fair by then.
Thu, May 14: 4–5ft, 12s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on W swell at 11s with barely a breath of wind. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor - fair by then.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Secrets is a sheltered beach break tucked along the rugged Sonoma County coastline, offering fun, manageable waves for intermediate surfers seeking a quieter getaway. The northeast-facing beach orientation captures northwest swell energy while remaining protected from harsh winds, creating peeling shoulders and forgiving sand bottom conditions. As the name suggests, this spot rewards those who know about it with consistent waves and a mellow, uncrowded vibe.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Secrets is 3-4ft with a 7.25s swell period. Wind is NNW at 17mph 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 Secrets is 3-4ft, produced by a 3.5ft W primary swell at 11s, a 1.1ft SW secondary swell at 16s, a 0.9ft SSW tertiary swell at 19s, a 5.2ft WNW wind swell swell at 7s. 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 Secrets is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 11s swell period, and conditions rated Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Secrets 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 Secrets. 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.
Secrets is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Secrets is a sheltered beach break tucked along the rugged Sonoma County coastline, offering fun, manageable waves for intermediate surfers seeking a quieter getaway. The northeast-facing beach orientation captures northwest swell energy while remaining protected from harsh winds, creating peeling shoulders and forgiving sand bottom conditions. As the name suggests, this spot rewards those who know about it with consistent waves and a mellow, uncrowded vibe.
The prime season at Secrets 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 Secrets include rip currents, occasional fog, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Secrets 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.
