Swell Intel

Emma Wood Surf Forecast, Ventura County, California

Ventura County, California

Right now
Poor - Fair
overall conditions
1-2ft
ankle to knee high
Cross-shore·W 8–9 mph
Swell1.6ft @ 7s W
TideHigh, rising · high 11:40 AM

Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Emma Wood for the cleanest windows.

Emma Wood 5-Day Forecast Summary

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.

Tue, Jun 30: 22ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on W swell at 7s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor.

Wed, Jul 1: 22ft, 17s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on W swell at 5s with light ESE winds. The WSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 8mph and poor by then.

Thu, Jul 2: 22ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Aim for the middle of the day — 2ft on W swell at 5s with light SW winds. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.

Fri, Jul 3: 22ft, 18s period, rated Poor. Aim for the middle of the day — 2ft on W swell at 5s with light SW winds. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.

Sat, Jul 4: 11ft, 16s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1ft and mostly poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 8mph by PM.

Daily Forecast

Try free
to unlock
Locked
Locked

Emma Wood Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
NW
Best Wind
NE
Season
Fall

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.

Occasional strong currentsBeach closures during high runoff

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

Emma Wood Surf Forecast FAQ

(9)

What is the current surf forecast for Emma Wood?

The current wave height at Emma Wood is 1-2ft with a 9.8s swell period. Wind is W at 8mph and 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 Emma Wood?

The current breaking wave height at Emma Wood is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.6ft W primary swell at 7s, a 1.1ft WNW secondary swell at 10s, a 0.8ft SSW tertiary swell at 14s. 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 Emma Wood?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Emma Wood is Friday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 2ft waves, a 16.5s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at Emma Wood?

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.

What tide is best at Emma Wood?

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.

What kind of wave is Emma Wood and who is it for?

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.

When is the best season to surf Emma Wood?

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.

Are there any hazards to know about at Emma Wood?

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.

How accurate is the Emma Wood surf forecast?

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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.