Northern California
The sweet spot is around midday — 4-5ft waves, gentle SW breeze, good conditions.
The sweet spot is around midday — 4-5ft waves, gentle SW breeze, good conditions.
Best window·Friday 7AM–10AM·4-6+ft·Good
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 4–5ft, 10s period, rated Fair - Good. The sweet spot is around midday — 4-5ft waves, gentle SW breeze, good conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Fri, Sep 4: 4–6+ft, 11s period, rated Fair - Good. Midday is the call — 4-6+ft waves with gentle SSW breeze and good conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Sat, Sep 5: 4–6ft, 9s period, rated Good. Fun day ahead — expect 4-6ft waves on NW swell at 9s with light E winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Sun, Sep 6: 4–5ft, 5s period, rated Fair - Good. Should be a good one — 3-4ft on NW swell at 5s with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.
Mon, Sep 7: 4–5ft, 5s period, rated Fair - Good. Should be a good one — 4-5ft on NW swell at 5s with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
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Check Caspar Beach from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 4-5ft with a 9.4s swell period. Wind is WSW at 6mph. Conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Caspar Beach is 4-5ft, produced by a 4.6ft WNW primary swell at 9s, a 1.4ft S secondary swell at 12s, a 1ft SSW tertiary swell at 17s. 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 Friday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 6ft waves, a 10.6s swell period, and conditions rated 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
