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: 8–9ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 6-7ft on WNW swell at 13s with 23mph out of the N. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 34mph from the NNW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 11–12ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 11-12ft waves on SSW swell at 14s with 26mph out of the N. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 32mph and poor - fair by then.
Mon, May 18: 6–7ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 6-7ft 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: 6–7ft, 15s period, rated Poor - 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 poor - fair by then.
Wed, May 20: 6–7ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 6-7ft on NW swell at 9s with gentle NNW breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the NNW and dropping conditions to 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 5-6ft with a 13.45s swell period. Wind is N at 23mph 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 5-6ft, produced by a 3ft WNW primary swell at 13s, a 1.2ft SW secondary swell at 14s, a 6.4ft NW wind swell swell at 7s. 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 Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 7ft waves, a 14.6s 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.
