Northern California
Afternoon is the play — morning is only fair at 4-5ft.
Afternoon is the play — morning is only fair at 4-5ft.
Best window·Thursday 3PM–6PM·3-4+ft·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.
Thu, Sep 3: 4–5ft, 10s period, rated Fair - Good. Afternoon is the play — morning is only fair at 3-4+ft. Afternoon shapes up better with 3-4+ft and fair - good conditions.
Fri, Sep 4: 3–4+ft, 11s period, rated Good. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4+ft waves on WNW swell at 11s and 8mph from the SE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3+ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3+ft on WNW swell at 9s with light winds out of the NE. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the WNW and dropping conditions to poor.
Sun, Sep 6: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 11s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 12mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Mon, Sep 7: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on WNW swell at 5s with gentle NE breeze. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
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Check Needle Rock from the lineup
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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 9.2s swell period. Wind is S at 2mph. 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 5.6ft W primary swell at 9s, a 1.6ft S secondary swell at 12s, a 1.3ft SW tertiary swell at 18s. 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 Thursday from 3 PM to 6 PM with 4ft waves, a 9.3s swell period, and conditions rated 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
