Northern California
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.
Sat, May 16: 6–7ft, 14s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on WNW swell at 13s and moderate N wind around 11mph. Onshore flow builds through the day to 16mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 9–10ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 8-9ft waves on SW swell at 13s with 19mph NNE winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Mon, May 18: 6–7ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 6-7ft on WNW swell at 9s with gentle NE breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 15mph from the NNW and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Tue, May 19: 6–7ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 8-9ft waves on WNW swell at 11s with light NE winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Wed, May 20: 6–7ft, 13s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 7-8ft waves on WNW swell at 10s with light winds out of the NE. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
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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 4-5ft with a 13.5s swell period. Wind is N at 10mph 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 4-5ft, produced by a 3.1ft WNW primary swell at 13s, a 1.4ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 4.9ft WNW wind swell swell at 7s. 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 6 AM to 9 AM with 9ft waves, a 14.65s swell period, and conditions rated Very 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
