Ventura County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Zero/Nicholas Canyon County Beach, 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, 18s period, rated Fair. Patience pays off today — morning is fair with 2-3ft. Things come together by the afternoon with 2-3ft at poor - fair.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Fair. Consistent 2-3ft surf through the day on SSW swell at 17s with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 7mph by PM.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 16s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSW swell at 15s and light winds out of the ESE. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 14s with light winds out of the ESE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 16s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 13s with gentle ESE breeze. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Zero/Nicholas Canyon is a sandy beach break located along Ventura County's scenic coastline, offering accessible waves suitable for learners and intermediate surfers. The beach faces WNW, making it responsive to west and northwest Pacific swells while benefiting from easterly offshore winds that groom the waves during morning sessions. This spot works best during fall and winter swells when distant storms generate consistent energy that wraps around the Southern California coast.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Zero/Nicholas Canyon County Beach is 2-3+ft with a 17.75s swell period. Wind is SW 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 Zero/Nicholas Canyon County Beach is 2-3+ft, produced by a 1.2ft SSW primary swell at 18s, a 1ft W secondary swell at 9s, a 0.7ft S tertiary swell at 14s. 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 Zero/Nicholas Canyon County Beach is Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 3ft waves, a 17.75s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Zero/Nicholas Canyon County Beach 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 Zero/Nicholas Canyon County Beach. 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.
Zero/Nicholas Canyon County Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Zero/Nicholas Canyon is a sandy beach break located along Ventura County's scenic coastline, offering accessible waves suitable for learners and intermediate surfers. The beach faces WNW, making it responsive to west and northwest Pacific swells while benefiting from easterly offshore winds that groom the waves during morning sessions. This spot works best during fall and winter swells when distant storms generate consistent energy that wraps around the Southern California coast.
The prime season at Zero/Nicholas Canyon County Beach 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 Zero/Nicholas Canyon County Beach include rip currents, crowded beach access. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Zero/Nicholas Canyon County Beach 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.
