Bolinas Surf Forecast, Northern California
Northern California
Current Conditions
Very PoorWave Height
0-1ft
flat to ankle high
Swell Period
14.5s
Wind
6mph
SW / Gusts 11mph
Conditions
Very Poor
Active Swells
Primary
0.9ft @ 12sSSW
Secondary
0.7ft @ 15sW
Tertiary
0.6ft @ 15sSW
Wind Swell
1.6ft @ 4sSSW
Daily Forecast
3 of 5 daysTue, Mar 310-1ft
Very Poor6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 11-2ft
Very PoorA slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light WSW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.
6am9am12pm3pm
6s SSW|6-13mph SSW
Thu, Apr 21-2ft
PoorA slow one — 0-1ft waves and poor conditions with 12mph from the NW.
6am9am12pm3pm
11s WSW|8-12mph NNW
Forecast Charts
Bolinas Surf Spot Guide
Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SW
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall
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.
SharksCold waterRip currentsLocalismRocks near jetty
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
Bolinas Surf Forecast FAQ
What is the current surf forecast for Bolinas?
The current wave height at Bolinas is 0-1ft with a 14.5s swell period. Wind is SW at 6mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor.
How accurate is the Bolinas surf forecast?
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.
What is the breaking wave height at Bolinas?
The current breaking wave height at Bolinas is 0-1ft, produced by a 0.9ft SSW primary swell at 12s, a 0.7ft W secondary swell at 15s, a 0.6ft SW tertiary swell at 15s, a 1.6ft SSW wind swell swell at 4s. 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.
When is the best time to surf Bolinas?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Bolinas is Sunday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 1ft waves, a 16.8s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.