Ventura County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at The Ranch - Cojo Reef, Ventura County, 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: 1–2ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 15mph out of the NW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 26mph.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 12s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 17mph NW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 25mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 12s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with gentle ESE breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 16s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with gentle E breeze.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light winds out of the NW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
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Cojo Reef is a powerful reef break located on the remote Ventura County coast that peels off consistent, well-defined waves over a rocky reef bottom. The spot's northern exposure captures winter swells perfectly, with the reef producing hollow tubes and punchy walls that demand solid paddling skills and wave knowledge. This is a relatively uncrowded gem for experienced surfers willing to venture to the less-traveled stretches of the Central Coast.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at The Ranch - Cojo Reef is 1-2ft with a 9.5s swell period. Wind is NW at 15mph 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 The Ranch - Cojo Reef is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.4ft SSW primary swell at 13s, a 1.1ft WNW secondary swell at 16s, a 1ft S tertiary swell at 16s, a 7.9ft WNW wind swell swell at 10s. 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 The Ranch - Cojo Reef is Saturday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 2ft waves, a 10s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
The Ranch - Cojo Reef works best with a NW swell and NNW 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 The Ranch - Cojo Reef. 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.
The Ranch - Cojo Reef is a reef with a reef bottom, suited to advanced surfers. Cojo Reef is a powerful reef break located on the remote Ventura County coast that peels off consistent, well-defined waves over a rocky reef bottom. The spot's northern exposure captures winter swells perfectly, with the reef producing hollow tubes and punchy walls that demand solid paddling skills and wave knowledge. This is a relatively uncrowded gem for experienced surfers willing to venture to the less-traveled stretches of the Central Coast.
The prime season at The Ranch - Cojo Reef is winter, 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 The Ranch - Cojo Reef include strong currents, shallow reef, rocks, localism, remote location. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our The Ranch - Cojo Reef 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.
