Point Arena Surf Guide

Surf spot guide

Ideal Surf Conditions

Swell Direction

W, S

Wind

NE to E, but semi clean sideshore on northerly winds

Surf Height

Head high-2X overhead

Tide

Medium

Point Arena Surf Guide

On a solid W or NW swell, the point on the north side of the pier is a steep, bowly takeoff followed by a fast, powerful right that eventually backs off into the deep channel or pushes you inside over the sharp rock shelf. This right point needs a little bigger swell in the six-foot-plus range to break. The left that breaks on the south side of the pier on the other side of the Cove is more exposed to the northwesterly winds and is best when it's overhead and clean, and it will also break on solid S swells. This area offers decent protection from the normal northwesterly winds for the right, and N winds blow sideshore at both the right and the left.

Ability Level

Advanced

BegIntAdv

Advanced

Local Vibe

Intimidating

WelcomingIntimidating

Icy and threatening. Don't even think about disclosing your residency if you're from anywhere south.

Crowd Factor

Heavy

MellowHeavy

The point does get packed with surly locals who greatly dislike unfamiliar surfers in the lineup.

Spot Rating

Fun

PoorPerfect

Good.

Shoulder Burn

Medium

LightExhausting

Not too bad.

Water Quality

Clean

CleanDirty

Clean.

Hazards

Land locals, also white sharks that adore Point Arena, but there hasn't been a shark attack...yet.

Bring Your

Shortboard, Gun

Access

From Highway 1, head west onto Port Road.

Bottom

Rock with nasty dry rocks on inside.

Best Season

September-November

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