Rincon, CA

MapBeginner-friendlyLive · -

5h 10m of daylight left

Sunset at 2:24 AM

Best window this week

Saturday is the call — 7.0 during the 10 AM–11 AM window. Block the morning if you can.

5-day

SKIPSkip

3.5/ 10 · Poor

Best time to ride

1 AM–2 AM

Next 12 hours

Probably not worth the paddle.

Tide window opening

Conditions

Wave

1.8 ft↑

Sweet spot 3–8 ft

Period

10s↓

Sweet spot 12–18 s

Wind

8 mph SW→

Onshore

Tide

Next · Low 04:52 AM

Session plan

Skip

Probably not worth the paddle.

Rincon, CA · Beginner-friendly

SKIP

Peak window

1 AM–2 AM

Avg score 4.5/10

Why this score

Tide will shift conditions soon.

Wave height1.8 ft

Swell period10s

WindOnshore 8 mph

Current: 1.8 ft @ 10s • 8 mph wind. wave height is okay but not doing the heavy lifting period is middling and not a big factor either way light wind is keeping things clean wind direction is fighting the banks and shape

Next 12 hours

Peak window 1 AM–2 AM

Today's read·Auto-generated from the forecast

Quiet day — 1.8 ft and not much to work with. Tide shift to low around 4:52 AM could change the picture.

9 PM

3.51.8ft

10 PM

2.02.1ft

11 PM

2.02.3ft

12 AM

2.02.5ft

1 AM

2.62.8ft

2 AM

6.53.0ft

3 AM

8.03.2ft

4 AM

8.03.1ft

5 AM

8.03.0ft

6 AM

5.52.9ft

7 AM

5.52.7ft

8 AM

5.52.6ft

Sunrise 1:31 PM Sunset 2:24 AM

Next 5 days

Best window

Best this week

7.0/10

Saturday, Sep 5 • 10 AM–11 AM

Wave 2.4 ft

Period 14s

Wind max 8 mph

Temp 64–86°F

Tuesday, Sep 1

6.4 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 2.0 ft

Period: 10s

Wind max: 8 mph

Wednesday, Sep 2

5.5 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 2.0 ft

Period: 7s

Wind max: 9 mph

Thursday, Sep 3

3.8 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 2.3 ft

Period: 7s

Wind max: 9 mph

Friday, Sep 4

6.0 / 10

Best: 1 PM–2 PM

Wave: 2.1 ft

Period: 14s

Wind max: 9 mph

Saturday, Sep 5

7.0 / 10

Best: 10 AM–11 AM

Wave: 2.4 ft

Period: 14s

Wind max: 8 mph

Day	Best window	Score	Wave	Period	Wind max	Temp
Tuesday, Sep 1	10 AM–11 AM	6.4	2.0 ft	10s	8 mph	58–72°F
Wednesday, Sep 2	10 AM–11 AM	5.5	2.0 ft	7s	9 mph	61–74°F
Thursday, Sep 3	10 AM–11 AM	3.8	2.3 ft	7s	9 mph	63–82°F
Friday, Sep 4	1 PM–2 PM	6.0	2.1 ft	14s	9 mph	64–82°F
Saturday, Sep 5	10 AM–11 AM	7.0	2.4 ft	14s	8 mph	64–86°F

Spot intelWetsuit, hazards & notes

Good for beginners today

Beginner basics

Where to go

Rincon's Cove and Indicator sections are stacked with some of California's best surfers when it's working — not a learning wave. The river-mouth inside on a tiny day is the most manageable area, but you'll still be in everyone's way.

What to avoid

Don't paddle into the main point lineup on any swell. The cobblestone takeoff is rocky at low tide and the etiquette is enforced loudly. Strong cold-water rip carries you down the point fast.

Best beginner conditions

Rincon isn't a true beginner spot. For learning in this region, head south to Carpinteria State Beach or further down to Doheny / San Onofre.

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