Northern California
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.
Sat, May 16: 6–7ft, 14s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 6-7ft on WNW swell at 14s with 20mph out of the N. The NNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 30mph and poor by then.
Sun, May 17: 10–11ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 10-11ft waves and poor conditions with 23mph N winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 30mph.
Mon, May 18: 7–8ft, 9s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 8-9ft on NW swell at 9s with light ENE winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 14mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Tue, May 19: 6–7ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 7-8ft waves on NW swell at 9s and glassy conditions. The WNW wind kicks in by afternoon — 7mph and fair by then.
Wed, May 20: 6–7ft, 14s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 7-8ft on WNW swell at 11s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 6mph from the W and dropping conditions to fair.
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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 6-7ft with a 13.85s swell period. Wind is N at 21mph 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 Ward Ave. Beach is 6-7ft, produced by a 3ft WNW primary swell at 14s, a 0.9ft SW secondary swell at 15s, a 6.6ft NW 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.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Ward Ave. Beach is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 8ft waves, a 9.25s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
