Santa Cruz Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
NW to SW
Wind
SE, E
Surf Height
Waist high to double overhead.
Tide
All tides
Santa Cruz Surf Guide
It may not be home to the fabled Steamer Lane, but it is home to a renowned beachbreak - a long stretch of sand that produces some thumping barrels and reeling peaks that can rival Europe's best on its day. Home to a series of sandbanks and sand covered reefs - it even has a sand covered shipwreck from a boat that sank just after WW2. A good place to escape the crowds. Susceptible to wind so best on an offshore day.
Ability Level
All Abilities
A good spot for all abilities, best for experienced surfers as size picks up.
Local Vibe
Doable
OK, best peaks can be competitive.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
Peaks close to town can get busy, a short walk can yield quiet peaks.
Spot Rating
Perfect
High quality beachbreak with numerous peaks; long, powerful lefts and rights for top to bottom surfing and occasional barrel sections.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
Powerful swells come out of deep water meaning a lot of duck dives, combined with plenty of currents moving around and some arm draining rips.
Water Quality
Fair
OK, can be polluted after rain.
Hazards
Heavy and rippy when big.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Funboard, Longboard, Fish, Bodyboard
Access
As a popular summer resort there are four car parks spaced out along the clifftop overlooking the beach.
Bottom
Sand with some reef.
Best Season
Works year round but best in clean swells September to November.
Do you have local knowledge about Santa Cruz?
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