Northern California
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.
Sat, May 16: 8–9ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 6-7ft on WNW swell at 13s with moderate N wind around 12mph. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 34mph and poor - fair by then.
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 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.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Caspar Headlands is 5-6ft with a 13.45s 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 Headlands 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 Headlands 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
