Northern California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Caspar Beach, 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: 6–7ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 6-7ft and poor - fair conditions with 23mph out of the N. Expect the wind to bump up to around 34mph by PM.
Sun, May 17: 10–11ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 10-11ft and poor - fair conditions with 26mph N winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 32mph.
Mon, May 18: 6–7ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 7-8ft waves on NW swell at 9s with light winds out of the N. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 23mph and poor by then.
Tue, May 19: 7–8ft, 15s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 7-8ft on NW swell at 9s with light winds out of the NNW. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 16mph and fair by then.
Wed, May 20: 5–6ft, 14s period, rated Fair. Patience pays off today — morning is fair with 6-7ft. Things come together by the afternoon with 6-7ft at poor - fair.
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Caspar Beach is a mellow, sand-bottomed beach break on the Mendocino County coast that offers forgiving waves perfect for surfers building their skills. The beach faces northeast, catching swell from the northwest with consistent autumn and winter swells rolling through the Pacific. This remote Northern California gem stays uncrowded thanks to its rural location, making it an ideal destination for surfers seeking peaceful sessions away from the busy coastal crowds.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Caspar Beach is 6-7ft with a 7.55s swell period. Wind is N at 24mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Caspar Beach is 6-7ft, produced by a 2.8ft WNW primary swell at 14s, a 1.2ft SW secondary swell at 14s, a 7ft NW 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 Caspar Beach is Monday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 8ft waves, a 9.25s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Caspar Beach works best with a WNW 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 Caspar 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.
Caspar Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Caspar Beach is a mellow, sand-bottomed beach break on the Mendocino County coast that offers forgiving waves perfect for surfers building their skills. The beach faces northeast, catching swell from the northwest with consistent autumn and winter swells rolling through the Pacific. This remote Northern California gem stays uncrowded thanks to its rural location, making it an ideal destination for surfers seeking peaceful sessions away from the busy coastal crowds.
The prime season at Caspar 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 Caspar Beach include strong rip currents, cold water temperatures, occasional logs and driftwood. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Caspar 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.
