Swell Intel

Jug Handle State Reserve Surf Forecast, Northern California

Northern California

Caspar Headlands1-2ftCaspar Beach1-2ftPoint Cabrillo1-2ft
Jug Handle State Reserve surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor
Wave Height
1-2+ft
knee to waist high
Swell Period
14.35s
Wind
6mph
SSW / Gusts 7mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
2.4ft @ 8sNW
Secondary
1.2ft @ 14sWNW
Tertiary
1.0ft @ 12sSSW

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Tue, Mar 312-3ft
Fair
6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 12-3ft
Poor

Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle WNW breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.

6am9am12pm3pm
8s NW|3-11mph SW
Thu, Apr 29-10ft
Poor

Skip the dawn patrol — 5-6ft and poor early on. Swell fills in and gets up to 9-10ft by PM — poor - fair conditions.

6am9am12pm3pm
10s WNW|7-18mph NNW
Sign up to unlockFree — no credit card
Sat

Forecast Charts

Jug Handle State Reserve Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Rock
Level
Advanced
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
NW
Best Wind
E
Season
Winter

Jug Handle State Reserve sits along the rugged Northern California coast near Caspar, offering raw and powerful surf shaped by the exposed rocky shoreline and consistent northwest swells that barrel down from the open Pacific. The spot's southeast-facing orientation means it picks up a good angle on the dominant winter groundswells, producing punchy, often hollow waves that reward experienced surfers willing to navigate the technical entry and exit over rocky terrain. Its remote character and limited access keep crowds minimal, making it a rewarding find for adventurous surfers exploring the wild Mendocino coast.

RocksStrong currentsCold waterSharksIsolated locationHeavy shore break

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

Jug Handle State Reserve Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Jug Handle State Reserve?
The current wave height at Jug Handle State Reserve is 1-2+ft with a 14.35s swell period. Wind is SSW at 6mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Jug Handle State Reserve surf forecast?
Our Jug Handle State Reserve 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.
What is the breaking wave height at Jug Handle State Reserve?
The current breaking wave height at Jug Handle State Reserve is 1-2+ft, produced by a 2.4ft NW primary swell at 8s, a 1.2ft WNW secondary swell at 14s, a 1ft SSW tertiary swell at 12s. 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 Jug Handle State Reserve?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Jug Handle State Reserve is Saturday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 5ft waves, a 9.45s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.