Northern California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Bolinas, Northern California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 7–8ft, 9s period, rated Very Good. Should be a good one — 7-8ft on SW swell at 15s with moderate NNW wind around 13mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 17mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 7–8ft, 12s period, rated Very Good. Fun day ahead — expect 8-9ft waves on WSW swell at 13s with moderate NNW wind around 9mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 15mph by PM.
Mon, May 18: 5–6ft, 12s period, rated Very Good. Get out early for the best of it — 5-6ft waves on W swell at 11s and 14mph N winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Tue, May 19: 5–6ft, 16s period, rated Fair. Morning kicks off with 5-6ft on W swell at 10s. Expect 11mph W winds by the afternoon.
Wed, May 20: 4–5ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 4-5ft on W swell at 13s with gentle S breeze. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
Bolinas is one of the few mellow surf spots in NorCal, sheltered by the jetty at the entrance to Bolinas Lagoon. The west side produces lefts while the east side (Sea Drift) offers rights when sandbars cooperate. The town is famously reclusive — locals have historically torn down road signs — but the in-water vibe is generally friendly. One of the more approachable waves in the region for intermediate surfers comfortable with cold water and shark country.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Bolinas is 6-8ft with a 8.95s swell period. Wind is NNW at 12mph and conditions are rated Very Good. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Bolinas is 6-8ft, produced by a 1ft SW primary swell at 14s, a 1ft SW secondary swell at 16s, a 7.7ft WNW wind swell swell at 9s. 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 Bolinas is Sunday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 8ft waves, a 11.65s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Bolinas works best with a SW swell and NE 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 Bolinas. 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.
Bolinas is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Bolinas is one of the few mellow surf spots in NorCal, sheltered by the jetty at the entrance to Bolinas Lagoon. The west side produces lefts while the east side (Sea Drift) offers rights when sandbars cooperate. The town is famously reclusive — locals have historically torn down road signs — but the in-water vibe is generally friendly. One of the more approachable waves in the region for intermediate surfers comfortable with cold water and shark country.
The prime season at Bolinas 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 Bolinas include sharks, cold water, rip currents, localism, rocks near jetty. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Bolinas 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.
