Caspar Headlands Surf Forecast, Northern California

Northern California

Right nowPoor - Fair
2-3ft

Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on WNW swell at 9s with light SSW winds.

Swell
4.6ft
9s · WNW
Wind
3–6mph
SW · Calm
Water
57°F
4/3 + booties
Tide
Mid
rising · high 4:01 PM
Surf: nearshore model · 12 PM localWind: model · 12 PM localTide: forecast

Best window·Friday 7AM10AM·2-3+ft·Fair

Registered at the buoy
Swell4.9ft @ 9s WNW
Steepness: average

Caspar Headlands 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Caspar Headlands, 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: 23ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. Midday is the call — 2-3ft waves with light winds out of the SW and poor - fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.

Fri, Sep 4: 23+ft, 11s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3+ft waves on NW swell at 11s and light winds out of the S. It gets a bit messier later in the day.

Sat, Sep 5: 23ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on NW swell at 9s with light winds out of the E. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and very poor by then.

Sun, Sep 6: 12ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on NW swell at 5s with light winds out of the ESE. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the NNW and dropping conditions to very poor.

Mon, Sep 7: 12ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on NW swell at 5s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the NNW and dropping conditions to very poor.

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Caspar Headlands Surf Spot Guide

Break
Point
Bottom
Rock
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
W
Best Wind
E
Season
Fall

Caspar Headlands is a dramatic rocky point break located on the rugged Mendocino County coastline, offering consistent, well-shaped waves that peel along the headland's contours. The break works best during fall and winter swells when Pacific groundswell wraps around the point, creating long, rideable walls perfect for intermediate surfers seeking uncrowded waves. The isolated location and rocky terrain keep crowds minimal, making it an ideal spot for those willing to navigate the coastal access and respect the powerful ocean dynamics of Northern California's wild coast.

RocksStrong currentsLimited accessCold water

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Caspar Headlands Surf Forecast FAQ

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What is the current surf forecast for Caspar Headlands?

The current wave height at Caspar Headlands is 2-3ft with a 9.4s swell period. Wind is SW at 3mph. Conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at Caspar Headlands?

The current breaking wave height at Caspar Headlands is 2-3ft, produced by a 4.6ft WNW primary swell at 9s, a 1.4ft S secondary swell at 12s, a 1.1ft SSW tertiary swell at 16s. 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 Caspar Headlands?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Caspar Headlands is Friday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 3ft waves, a 10.6s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at Caspar Headlands?

Caspar Headlands works best with a W 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.

What tide is best at Caspar Headlands?

Tide plays a big role at Caspar Headlands. 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.

What kind of wave is Caspar Headlands and who is it for?

Caspar Headlands is a point with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Caspar Headlands is a dramatic rocky point break located on the rugged Mendocino County coastline, offering consistent, well-shaped waves that peel along the headland's contours. The break works best during fall and winter swells when Pacific groundswell wraps around the point, creating long, rideable walls perfect for intermediate surfers seeking uncrowded waves. The isolated location and rocky terrain keep crowds minimal, making it an ideal spot for those willing to navigate the coastal access and respect the powerful ocean dynamics of Northern California's wild coast.

When is the best season to surf Caspar Headlands?

The prime season at Caspar Headlands 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.

Are there any hazards to know about at Caspar Headlands?

Common hazards at Caspar Headlands include rocks, strong currents, limited access, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the Caspar Headlands surf forecast?

Our Caspar Headlands 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).