Northern California
Best window·Thursday 6AM–9AM·4ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Ward Ave. Beach, 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. Get out early for the best of it — 6-7ft waves on NW swell at 9s and glassy conditions. The N wind kicks in by afternoon — 17mph and very poor by then.
Wed, Jul 1: 6–7ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 6-7ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 12mph from the N.
Thu, Jul 2: 4–5ft, 9s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on NW swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. The WNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 8mph and fair by then.
Fri, Jul 3: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on NW swell at 7s with calm winds. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 7mph and poor - fair by then.
Sat, Jul 4: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Afternoon is the play — morning is only poor - fair at 3-4ft. Later in the day looks more promising — 3-4ft and fair.
Ward Ave Beach is a sandy beach break near MacKerricher State Park on the Mendocino coast, offering approachable peaks from W and NW swells. While the waves can be mellow, the cold water and remote NorCal conditions require intermediate experience. A quieter alternative to nearby Fort Bragg area breaks.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Ward Ave. Beach is 5-7ft with a 9.4s swell period. Wind is N at 10mph 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 Ward Ave. Beach is 5-7ft, produced by a 8.2ft NW primary swell at 9s, a 0.8ft SW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.5ft 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 Ward Ave. Beach is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 8.65s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Ward Ave. Beach works best with a W 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 Ward Ave. 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.
Ward Ave. Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Ward Ave Beach is a sandy beach break near MacKerricher State Park on the Mendocino coast, offering approachable peaks from W and NW swells. While the waves can be mellow, the cold water and remote NorCal conditions require intermediate experience. A quieter alternative to nearby Fort Bragg area breaks.
The prime season at Ward Ave. 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.
Common hazards at Ward Ave. Beach include cold water, sharks, strong currents, rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Ward Ave. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
