Northern California
Best window·Thursday 6AM–9AM·6ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Palmers Point, 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: 7–8ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 7-8ft on NW swell at 9s with gentle NNE breeze. Onshore flow builds through the day to 18mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Wed, Jul 1: 8–10ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 7-8ft and poor conditions with 13mph NNE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 19mph.
Thu, Jul 2: 6–7ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 6-7ft waves on NW swell at 8s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 18mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Fri, Jul 3: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on NW swell at 7s and light NNE winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 16mph from the NNW and dropping conditions to very poor.
Sat, Jul 4: 4–5ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on NW swell at 7s and light winds out of the N. Onshore flow builds through the day to 19mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Palmers Point is a rocky point break located on the rugged Humboldt County coastline where consistent Pacific swells wrap around the headland to create peeling, well-defined waves. The ESE-facing point produces quality shape across a variety of swell directions, with particularly strong performance during autumn when larger Pacific storms send organized groundswell toward the California coast. This relatively secluded spot offers a genuine local vibe with manageable crowds and rewards surfers with the skill to navigate the rocky bottom and changing conditions.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Palmers Point is 6-8ft with a 8.75s swell period. Wind is NNE at 12mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Palmers Point is 6-8ft, produced by a 7.5ft NW primary swell at 9s, a 0.6ft SW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.4ft 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 Palmers Point is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 6ft waves, a 8.15s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Palmers Point works best with a NW 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 Palmers Point. 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.
Palmers Point is a point with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Palmers Point is a rocky point break located on the rugged Humboldt County coastline where consistent Pacific swells wrap around the headland to create peeling, well-defined waves. The ESE-facing point produces quality shape across a variety of swell directions, with particularly strong performance during autumn when larger Pacific storms send organized groundswell toward the California coast. This relatively secluded spot offers a genuine local vibe with manageable crowds and rewards surfers with the skill to navigate the rocky bottom and changing conditions.
The prime season at Palmers Point 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 Palmers Point include rocks, strong currents, cold water, remote location. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Palmers Point 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.
