🇺🇸 HALF MOON BAY, CALIFORNIA

Mavericks

Northern California's legendary big wave

FAIR

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

Solid 10ft swell — but short 9s period indicates wind swell, expect choppy conditions — hitting at the ideal angle — cross-onshore wind affecting quality — Note: this is outside the peak season for this spot

MEDIUM CONFIDENCEBuoy data slightly stale, calibration known

Why it's FAIR

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 305° — matches the ideal 315° window for this spot

Swell Period

10s — solid groundswell. Waves will have real energy and organization.

Wind

8mph cross-shore — not ideal but surfable if wind is light

Tide

Rising tide — workable window

Season

October is shoulder season — spot can still work but swells are less consistent

Data Confidence

Buoy data slightly stale, calibration known

At the Break

9.6ft

MEDIUM CONFIDENCE

Buoy data slightly stale, calibration known

Period

10s

Mid-period

Wind

8mph

CROSS-SHORE

Water

65°F

3/2 wetsuit

Live Buoy 46012

6.2ft

10s

91 min ago

Tide

MID-TIDE · RISING

2.7ft

Next high: in 4 hr 22 min

Swell Direction

100%

Wind Direction

45%

Primary Swell

6.6ft @ 7.5s

NW 305°

Secondary Swell

2.2ft @ 13.1s

S 187°

10 Day Outlook

5.3ft

TODAY

Oct 24

(14s)

5.1ft

TMRW

Oct 25

(15s)

3.1ft

MON

Oct 26

(15s)

3.2ft

TUE

Oct 27

(14s)

3.7ft

WED

Oct 28

(17s)

4.4ft

THU

Oct 29

(16s)

4.7ft

FRI

Oct 30

(15s)

4.4ft

SAT

Oct 31

(16s)

3.1ft

SUN

Nov 1

(15s)

3.0ft

MON

Nov 2

(16s)

Best this week: tmrw — 5.1ft

Best next week: SAT Oct 31 — 4.4ft

Incoming Swell Events

Today

moderate

Swell building to 5.3ft @ 14s

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)8.2ft

ICON (35%)7.3ft

GFS (20%)5.2ft

Model confidence25%

Updated every 30 mins · Open-Meteo ECMWF + ICON + GFS

About

Mavericks is one of the most famous big wave spots in the world, breaking off Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay just south of San Francisco. Cold water, giant peaks, and a heavy hold-down make this a spot that commands serious respect.

The Break

The main Mavericks peak — outer bowl for the biggest sets, the channel for safety.

Ideal Conditions

NW swell 15ft+, light NE offshore winds, mid tide

Best Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Best months highlighted · Current: Oct

Trip Planner

NorCal Weekend

Weekend · 3 Days

Friday

Fly into SFO. Drive down to Half Moon Bay — 45min. Stay at the Half Moon Bay Inn. Dungeness crab dinner at Barbara's Fishtrap.

Saturday

Dawn patrol at Mavericks — watch from the cliff path if it is massive. Surf the beachbreak at Francis Beach if you want to get in the water. Drive up to San Francisco for the afternoon.

Sunday

Explore the coast — Pacifica beachbreak, Fort Funston. Fly home from SFO.

Northern California Coast Week

Full Week · 7 Days

Day 1

Arrive SFO, drive to Half Moon Bay.

Day 2

Mavericks watch or surf depending on your level. The view from the cliff is incredible regardless.

Day 3

Drive north — Ocean Beach SF, a punishing beachbreak for experienced surfers.

Day 4

Continue north — Bolinas, Stinson Beach. More mellow surf, beautiful scenery.

Day 5

Day in San Francisco — Golden Gate, Mission burritos, Tartine bakery.

Day 6

Drive south — Santa Cruz, Steamer Lane. Classic California pointbreak.

Day 7

Final session, drive back to SFO, fly home.

Local Knowledge

Mavericks is experts only — it is a life-threatening wave. Watch from the cliff path if in doubt.

The water is cold year round — 5/4mm wetsuit, boots, gloves, and hood in winter.

Half Moon Bay is a beautiful small town — great base for the NorCal coast.

The Mavericks surf contest (when it runs) draws the best big wave surfers in the world.

Parking at the trailhead fills up fast on good swell days — get there early.

Barbara's Fishtrap in Princeton-by-the-Sea is the best seafood in the area.