Mavericks, Half Moon Bay, CA

MapBeginner-friendlyLive · -

8h 21m of daylight left

Sunset at 3:29 AM

MAYBEMaybe

4.5/ 10 · Fair

Best time to ride

2 AM–3 AM

Next 12 hours

Could be okay if you're nearby.

Tide window opening

Conditions

Wave

3.1 ft→

Sweet spot 15–50 ft

Period

17s→

Sweet spot 16–22 s

Wind

8 mph W→

Onshore

Tide

Next · Low 05:39 AM

Session plan

Maybe

Could be okay if you're nearby.

Mavericks, Half Moon Bay, CA · Beginner-friendly

MAYBE

Peak window

2 AM–3 AM

Avg score 4.8/10

Why this score

Wind is affecting shape.

Wave height3.1 ft

Swell period17s

WindOnshore 8 mph

Current: 3.1 ft @ 17s • 8 mph wind. wave height is okay but not doing the heavy lifting period has some energy but isn't classic groundswell light wind is keeping things clean wind direction is fighting the banks and shape

Next 12 hours

Peak window 2 AM–3 AM

Today's read·Auto-generated from the forecast

Mixed conditions — 3.1 ft with onshore winds. If you go, 2 AM–3 AM looks the cleanest stretch.

7 PM

4.53.1ft

8 PM

4.53.1ft

9 PM

4.53.1ft

10 PM

4.53.1ft

11 PM

3.13.1ft

12 AM

3.13.1ft

1 AM

4.53.1ft

2 AM

4.53.1ft

3 AM

5.13.1ft

4 AM

5.13.1ft

5 AM

5.13.1ft

6 AM

5.13.1ft

Sunrise 1:02 PM Sunset 3:29 AM

Next 5 days

Best window

Best this week

5.4/10

Saturday, Jul 18 • 10 AM–11 AM

Wave 3.1 ft

Period 17s

Wind max 11 mph

Temp 54–61°F

Saturday, Jul 18

5.4 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 3.1 ft

Period: 17s

Wind max: 11 mph

Sunday, Jul 19

4.5 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 3.3 ft

Period: 16s

Wind max: 11 mph

Monday, Jul 20

3.5 / 10

Best: 11 AM–12 PM

Wave: 3.5 ft

Period: 13s

Wind max: 9 mph

Tuesday, Jul 21

3.5 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 3.6 ft

Period: 11s

Wind max: 7 mph

Wednesday, Jul 22

3.8 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 3.5 ft

Period: 10s

Wind max: 9 mph

Day	Best window	Score	Wave	Period	Wind max	Temp
Saturday, Jul 18	10 AM–11 AM	5.4	3.1 ft	17s	11 mph	54–61°F
Sunday, Jul 19	10 AM–11 AM	4.5	3.3 ft	16s	11 mph	53–70°F
Monday, Jul 20	11 AM–12 PM	3.5	3.5 ft	13s	9 mph	57–74°F
Tuesday, Jul 21	10 AM–11 AM	3.5	3.6 ft	11s	7 mph	—
Wednesday, Jul 22	10 AM–11 AM	3.8	3.5 ft	10s	9 mph	—

Spot intelWetsuit, hazards & notes

Good for beginners today

Beginner basics

Where to go

There is no beginner area at Mavericks. This is a big-wave reef ridden only by invited pros on giant winter swells; it's tow-in territory above 30 feet. Watch from the cliffs at Pillar Point.

What to avoid

The lineup, the rocks, the entire reef. People die here. Even paddling out as a beginner risks your life and the lives of rescuers. Cold water, sharks documented, and sets clean up everything outside.

Best beginner conditions

Mavericks is never beginner-friendly. Try Pacifica's Linda Mar (just south) for a true California first session.

New to surfing? Read the beginner guide →

Wetsuit

Summer setup

Season-based baseline. Water temp varies week to week.

Full guide

Boardshorts / Bikini

Or 2mm top on windy mornings

2mm Springsuit / Shorty

If you get cold easily

Spot notes