🇺🇸 HALF MOON BAY, CALIFORNIA

Mavericks

Northern California's legendary big wave

GOOD

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

Massive 13ft swell — serious conditions for experienced surfers only — with 12s mixed swell — hitting at the ideal angle — 4mph onshore wind roughing up the surface — Note: this is outside the peak season for this spot

HIGH CONFIDENCEFresh buoy data + calibrated transformation

Why it's GOOD

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 300° — matches the ideal 315° window for this spot

Swell Period

11s — solid groundswell. Waves will have real energy and organization.

Wind

4mph onshore — light but will soften wave shape

Tide

Falling tide — workable window

Season

May is off-season — rare for this spot to get quality waves

Data Confidence

Fresh buoy data with calibrated coastal transformation

At the Break

13.1ft

HIGH CONFIDENCE

Fresh buoy data + calibrated transformation

Period

11s

✓ Groundswell

Wind

4mph

ONSHORE

Water

53°F

4/3 wetsuit

Live Buoy 46012

6.6ft

11s

66 min ago

Tide

MID-TIDE · FALLING

3.6ft

Next low: in 1 hr 11 min

Swell Direction

100%

Wind Direction

35%

Primary Swell

5.3ft @ 7.2s

WNW 300°

Secondary Swell

3.5ft @ 16.0s

WNW 297°

10 Day Outlook

5.1ft

TODAY

May 28

(20s)

4.9ft

TMRW

May 29

(16s)

6.7ft

SAT

May 30

(14s)

6.6ft

SUN

May 31

(11s)

4.9ft

MON

Jun 1

(19s)

5.2ft

TUE

Jun 2

(18s)

6.8ft

WED

Jun 3

(16s)

6.4ft

THU

Jun 4

(19s)

5.7ft

FRI

Jun 5

(20s)

5.4ft

SAT

Jun 6

(17s)

Best this week: WED Jun 3 — 6.8ft

Best next week: THU Jun 4 — 6.4ft

Incoming Swell Events

Today

moderate

Swell building to 5.1ft @ 20s

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)7.5ft

ICON (35%)6.7ft

GFS (20%)4.6ft

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: May

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.