Ventura County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Emma Wood, Ventura County, 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: 5–6ft, 10s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 5-6ft waves on W swell at 10s and gentle W breeze. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Sun, May 17: 6–7ft, 12s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 6-7ft waves on W swell at 10s and gentle NNE breeze. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 7mph and poor - fair by then.
Mon, May 18: 4–5ft, 12s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 5-6ft on W swell at 12s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 9mph from the SW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 11s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on W swell at 11s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the WSW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 14s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 7s with barely a breath of wind. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 8mph and poor - fair by then.
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Emma Wood is a mellow beach break located along Ventura's scenic coastline, offering consistent, user-friendly waves that peel across sandy shores. The spot faces northeast and picks up northwest swells effectively, making it ideal for surfers looking to improve their skills in forgiving conditions. With easy beach access and relatively uncrowded waves compared to nearby spots, Emma Wood provides a welcoming atmosphere for progression.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Emma Wood is 5-6ft with a 9.65s swell period. Wind is W at 2mph and conditions are rated Fair - Good. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Emma Wood is 5-6ft, produced by a 3.9ft W primary swell at 10s, a 1ft SSW secondary swell at 13s, a 0.7ft S 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Emma Wood is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 6ft waves, a 9.75s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Emma Wood works best with a NW swell and NE 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 Emma Wood. 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.
Emma Wood is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Emma Wood is a mellow beach break located along Ventura's scenic coastline, offering consistent, user-friendly waves that peel across sandy shores. The spot faces northeast and picks up northwest swells effectively, making it ideal for surfers looking to improve their skills in forgiving conditions. With easy beach access and relatively uncrowded waves compared to nearby spots, Emma Wood provides a welcoming atmosphere for progression.
The prime season at Emma Wood 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 Emma Wood include occasional strong currents, beach closures during high runoff. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Emma Wood 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.
