Northern California
Best window·Tuesday 3PM–6PM·4ft·Fair - Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Needle Rock, Northern 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: 4–5ft, 9s period, rated Fair - Good. Early morning is your best window — 4-5ft waves on NW swell at 9s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to fair.
Wed, Jul 1: 4–5ft, 10s period, rated Fair - Good. Rideable all day with 4-5ft waves on NW swell at 10s and 11mph NE winds.
Thu, Jul 2: 3–4ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Expect 3-4ft all day on WNW swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind — nothing amazing but surfable. Expect the wind to bump up to around 9mph by PM.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2ft and poor - fair with glassy conditions.
Sat, Jul 4: 2–3ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2ft and poor - fair with barely a breath of wind.
Needle Rock is a rugged reef break along Northern California's dramatic coastline, where rocky outcroppings create predictable wave formations when swell wraps around the point. The break works best during autumn when Pacific swells approach from the northwest, peeling consistently across the reef structure. This exposed, less-crowded spot rewards experienced surfers with quality waves and stunning coastal scenery.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Needle Rock is 3-4ft with a 9.4s swell period. Wind is NNE at 8mph 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 Needle Rock is 3-4ft, produced by a 6.6ft NW primary swell at 9s, a 1.2ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.7ft SW tertiary swell at 19s. 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 Needle Rock is Tuesday from 3 PM to 6 PM with 4ft waves, a 9s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Needle Rock works best with a NW swell and SE 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 Needle Rock. 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.
Needle Rock is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Needle Rock is a rugged reef break along Northern California's dramatic coastline, where rocky outcroppings create predictable wave formations when swell wraps around the point. The break works best during autumn when Pacific swells approach from the northwest, peeling consistently across the reef structure. This exposed, less-crowded spot rewards experienced surfers with quality waves and stunning coastal scenery.
The prime season at Needle Rock 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 Needle Rock include rocks, strong currents, shallow reef, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Needle Rock 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.
