Swell Intel

Wages Creek Beach Surf Forecast, Northern California

Northern California

Wages Creek Beach surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor - Fair
Wave Height
5-6ft
head high
Swell Period
13.8s
Wind
17mph
N / Gusts 33mph
Conditions
Poor - Fair
Active Swells
Primary
2.7ft @ 14sWNW
Secondary
0.7ft @ 16sSW
Tertiary
0.6ft @ 14sSSW
Wind Swell
4.9ft @ 7sWNW

Wages Creek Beach 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Wages Creek Beach, 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: 56ft, 14s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 5-6ft waves on WNW swell at 14s with 17mph NNW winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 25mph, bringing conditions down to poor.

Sun, May 17: 67ft, 9s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 6-7ft on WNW swell at 9s with 16mph out of the N. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 25mph and poor by then.

Mon, May 18: 45ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 5-6ft waves on WNW swell at 9s and light ENE winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 12mph from the WNW and dropping conditions to fair.

Tue, May 19: 56ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 5-6ft waves on WNW swell at 9s with gentle ENE breeze. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.

Wed, May 20: 45ft, 14s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on WNW swell at 13s and calm winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.

Daily Forecast

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Forecast Charts

Wages Creek Beach Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
NW
Best Wind
SE
Season
Fall

Wages Creek Beach is a remote sandy beach break on the Mendocino coast that picks up NW Pacific swells well. The uncrowded setting and sandy bottom make for fun peaks, but the cold water, isolation, and standard NorCal hazards require intermediate experience. A quiet gem for surfers exploring north of Fort Bragg.

Cold waterSharksRip currentsIsolationRocks at beach ends

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

Wages Creek Beach Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Wages Creek Beach?

The current wave height at Wages Creek Beach is 5-6ft with a 13.8s swell period. Wind is N at 17mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at Wages Creek Beach?

The current breaking wave height at Wages Creek Beach is 5-6ft, produced by a 2.7ft WNW primary swell at 14s, a 0.7ft SW secondary swell at 16s, a 0.6ft SSW tertiary swell at 14s, a 4.9ft WNW wind swell swell at 7s. 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 Wages Creek Beach?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Wages Creek Beach is Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 6ft waves, a 15.35s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at Wages Creek Beach?

Wages Creek Beach 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.

What tide is best at Wages Creek Beach?

Tide plays a big role at Wages Creek Beach. 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.

What kind of wave is Wages Creek Beach and who is it for?

Wages Creek Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Wages Creek Beach is a remote sandy beach break on the Mendocino coast that picks up NW Pacific swells well. The uncrowded setting and sandy bottom make for fun peaks, but the cold water, isolation, and standard NorCal hazards require intermediate experience. A quiet gem for surfers exploring north of Fort Bragg.

When is the best season to surf Wages Creek Beach?

The prime season at Wages Creek Beach 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.

Are there any hazards to know about at Wages Creek Beach?

Common hazards at Wages Creek Beach include cold water, sharks, rip currents, isolation, rocks at beach ends. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the Wages Creek Beach surf forecast?

Our Wages Creek Beach 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.