Swell Intel

Needle Rock Surf Forecast, Northern California

Northern California

Jones Beach0-1ftWheeler Beach1-2ftShelter Cove2-3ft
Needle Rock surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor
Wave Height
1-2ft
ankle to knee high
Swell Period
14.35s
Wind
2mph
WSW / Gusts 4mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Primary
2.0ft @ 8sNW
Secondary
1.3ft @ 14sWNW
Tertiary
1.0ft @ 12sSSW

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Tue, Mar 311-2ft
Poor
6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 11-2ft
Poor

Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with gentle SW breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 17mph by PM.

6am9am12pm3pm
8s NW|4-17mph S
Thu, Apr 27-8ft
Poor - Fair

Patience pays off today — morning is poor - fair with 4-5ft. Surf builds nicely through the day to 6-7ft with very good conditions by the afternoon.

6am9am12pm3pm
11s W|5-12mph NW
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Sat
6ft
Swell building Fri, Apr 3Good

12s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast

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Forecast Charts

Needle Rock Surf Spot Guide

Break
Reef
Bottom
Rock
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
NW
Best Wind
SE
Season
Fall

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.

RocksStrong currentsShallow reefCold water

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

Needle Rock Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Needle Rock?
The current wave height at Needle Rock is 1-2ft with a 14.35s swell period. Wind is WSW at 2mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Needle Rock surf forecast?
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.
What is the breaking wave height at Needle Rock?
The current breaking wave height at Needle Rock is 1-2ft, produced by a 2ft NW primary swell at 8s, a 1.3ft 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 Needle Rock?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Needle Rock is Thursday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 7ft waves, a 10.9s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.