Ventura County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at The Ranch - Cojo Reef, Ventura County, 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: 2–3ft, 13s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 2-3ft waves on WNW swell at 12s and 16mph WNW winds.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 17s period, rated Fair. Steady 2-3ft waves on offer on WNW swell at 10s — light winds out of the SE.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 16s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on WNW swell at 11s with light NNW winds — nothing amazing but surfable.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 7mph ESE winds.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 12s period, rated Fair. Expect 1-2ft all day on WNW swell at 12s with moderate NNW wind around 13mph — nothing amazing but surfable. Expect the wind to bump up to around 18mph by PM.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Cojo Reef is a powerful reef break located on the remote Ventura County coast that peels off consistent, well-defined waves over a rocky reef bottom. The spot's northern exposure captures winter swells perfectly, with the reef producing hollow tubes and punchy walls that demand solid paddling skills and wave knowledge. This is a relatively uncrowded gem for experienced surfers willing to venture to the less-traveled stretches of the Central Coast.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at The Ranch - Cojo Reef is 2-3ft with a 13.2s swell period. Wind is WNW at 15mph 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 The Ranch - Cojo Reef is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.3ft WNW primary swell at 12s, a 1.4ft SSW secondary swell at 18s, a 0.7ft S tertiary swell at 14s, a 4.1ft WNW wind swell swell at 8s. 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 The Ranch - Cojo Reef is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 16.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
The Ranch - Cojo Reef works best with a NW swell and NNW 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 The Ranch - Cojo Reef. 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.
The Ranch - Cojo Reef is a reef with a reef bottom, suited to advanced surfers. Cojo Reef is a powerful reef break located on the remote Ventura County coast that peels off consistent, well-defined waves over a rocky reef bottom. The spot's northern exposure captures winter swells perfectly, with the reef producing hollow tubes and punchy walls that demand solid paddling skills and wave knowledge. This is a relatively uncrowded gem for experienced surfers willing to venture to the less-traveled stretches of the Central Coast.
The prime season at The Ranch - Cojo Reef is winter, 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 The Ranch - Cojo Reef include strong currents, shallow reef, rocks, localism, remote location. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our The Ranch - Cojo Reef 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.
