Los Angeles County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cabrillo Point, Los Angeles County, 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: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 8s with barely a breath of wind. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 8mph and fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions with moderate SE wind around 10mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 13s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with moderate SE wind around 10mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 14s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 8mph.
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Cabrillo Point is a rocky point break that wraps around a prominent headland in the Palos Verdes Peninsula area, offering multiple peaks and directions depending on swell angle. The break benefits from southern hemisphere swells in fall and winter, with the point's northeastern exposure allowing it to pick up consistent waves while the rocky point structure creates peeling, shapeable sections. The rocky bottom provides excellent wave shape and offers protection from larger swells compared to nearby beach breaks, making it a quality intermediate-friendly option when conditions align.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cabrillo Point is 2-3ft with a 15.4s swell period. Wind is WSW at 1mph 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 Cabrillo Point is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.2ft W primary swell at 6s, a 1.1ft S secondary swell at 13s, a 1.1ft W tertiary swell at 10s. 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 Cabrillo Point is Saturday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 15.4s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cabrillo Point works best with a S 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 Cabrillo Point. 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.
Cabrillo Point is a point with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Cabrillo Point is a rocky point break that wraps around a prominent headland in the Palos Verdes Peninsula area, offering multiple peaks and directions depending on swell angle. The break benefits from southern hemisphere swells in fall and winter, with the point's northeastern exposure allowing it to pick up consistent waves while the rocky point structure creates peeling, shapeable sections. The rocky bottom provides excellent wave shape and offers protection from larger swells compared to nearby beach breaks, making it a quality intermediate-friendly option when conditions align.
The prime season at Cabrillo Point 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 Cabrillo Point include rocks, sharp reef, strong currents, localism. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cabrillo Point 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.
