Ventura County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals, 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: 3–4ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on WSW swell at 8s with barely a breath of wind. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 9mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 4-5ft on WSW swell at 7s with gentle N breeze. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 13s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on WSW swell at 8s with light winds out of the NE. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with gentle E breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 7mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 7mph.
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Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals is a classic Southern California point break where waves peel along a rocky shoreline, offering longer, more workable rides than many nearby beach breaks. The spot picks up consistent swell from the west and southwest, with the rocky point formation creating defined wave shape and the potential for extended walls during quality swells. This scenic stretch of Ventura County coastline delivers fun intermediate-friendly waves without the intensity of heavier reef breaks, making it a rewarding destination during the best autumn swell season.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals is 3-4ft with a 15.45s swell period. Wind is NE at 0mph 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 Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals is 3-4ft, produced by a 1.6ft WSW primary swell at 6s, a 0.7ft S secondary swell at 13s, a 0.6ft WSW tertiary swell at 10s. 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 Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 7.3s swell period, and conditions rated Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals 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 Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals. 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.
Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals is a point with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals is a classic Southern California point break where waves peel along a rocky shoreline, offering longer, more workable rides than many nearby beach breaks. The spot picks up consistent swell from the west and southwest, with the rocky point formation creating defined wave shape and the potential for extended walls during quality swells. This scenic stretch of Ventura County coastline delivers fun intermediate-friendly waves without the intensity of heavier reef breaks, making it a rewarding destination during the best autumn swell season.
The prime season at Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals 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 Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals include rocks, sea urchins, strong currents, localism. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Little Rincon/Mussel Shoals 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.
