Northern California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Secrets, 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: 5–6ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 5-6ft and mostly poor - fair with 16mph out of the NNW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 23mph.
Sun, May 17: 6–7ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 6-7ft waves on WNW swell at 10s with moderate NNW wind around 10mph. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 21mph and poor - fair by then.
Mon, May 18: 4–5ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 5-6ft waves on WNW swell at 10s and gentle NNE breeze. The WNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and poor - fair by then.
Tue, May 19: 4–5ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 5-6ft on WNW swell at 9s with light winds out of the NE. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 8mph from the W and dropping conditions to fair.
Wed, May 20: 4–5ft, 14s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 4-5ft on WNW swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
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Secrets is a sheltered beach break tucked along the rugged Sonoma County coastline, offering fun, manageable waves for intermediate surfers seeking a quieter getaway. The northeast-facing beach orientation captures northwest swell energy while remaining protected from harsh winds, creating peeling shoulders and forgiving sand bottom conditions. As the name suggests, this spot rewards those who know about it with consistent waves and a mellow, uncrowded vibe.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Secrets is 5-6ft with a 8.35s swell period. Wind is NNW at 16mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Secrets is 5-6ft, produced by a 2.4ft WNW primary swell at 14s, a 1.2ft SSW secondary swell at 13s, a 1ft SSW tertiary swell at 16s, a 8.1ft WNW wind swell swell at 8s. 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 Secrets is Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 5ft waves, a 15.2s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Secrets 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 Secrets. 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.
Secrets is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Secrets is a sheltered beach break tucked along the rugged Sonoma County coastline, offering fun, manageable waves for intermediate surfers seeking a quieter getaway. The northeast-facing beach orientation captures northwest swell energy while remaining protected from harsh winds, creating peeling shoulders and forgiving sand bottom conditions. As the name suggests, this spot rewards those who know about it with consistent waves and a mellow, uncrowded vibe.
The prime season at Secrets 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 Secrets include rip currents, occasional fog, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Secrets 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.
