Half Moon Bay
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Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
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Half Moon Bay surf guide

Half Moon Bay is a popular surfing destination located along four miles of beach stretching from Princeton Harbor to the south. This crescent-shaped beach can catch waves from both the north and south at almost any time, making it a versatile spot for surfers. However, it's important to note that the surf here can often be unpredictable, and many days might not offer the best conditions. The area is known for its dynamic weather and shifting bottom contours, which can change from visit to visit.

The surf at Half Moon Bay generally varies with the swell. It's capable of handling wave sizes from about 3 feet (1 meter) to 8 feet (2.4 meters), depending on the conditions. The beach break can deliver some fun rides, especially when the swell is coming from the Southwest or West. It’s usually good for beginners, intermediates, and experts alike, with both right and left waves available. Ideal conditions occur when the wind is blowing from the Northeast, East, or East-Northeast, and the tide is around mid to high. However, you can also catch decent waves on low to mid tide. Most of the time, the surf can be pretty average, but with the right combination of small to mid-size swells and offshore winds, you might just find a sweet spot with some great waves.

Accessing the beach is straightforward, with roads off Highway 1 leading you to various entry points, including State Parks and dirt parking lots. The crowd factor is generally manageable; you can usually find a space to surf without dealing with too many other surfers around. Just keep in mind that the local vibe is mostly friendly but can be easily avoidable if you choose the right time to surf. The environment is mostly clean, making it a pleasant spot to spend the day catching some waves.

Surf reports and surf forecasts nearby Half Moon Bay

Francis Beach/Half Moon Bay State Beach
California, United States
Beach break
Mon 18
Tue 19
Wed 20
Thu 21
Fri 22
Sat 23
Sun 24
Mon 25
Tue 26
Wed 27
Thu 28
Fri 29
Half Moon Bay
California, United States
Beach break
Mon 18
Tue 19
Wed 20
Thu 21
Fri 22
Sat 23
Sun 24
Mon 25
Tue 26
Wed 27
Thu 28
Fri 29
Tunitas Creek
California, United States
Beach break
Mon 18
Tue 19
Wed 20
Thu 21
Fri 22
Sat 23
Sun 24
Mon 25
Tue 26
Wed 27
Thu 28
Fri 29
Lindamar (Pacifica)
California, United States
Beach break
Mon 18
Tue 19
Wed 20
Thu 21
Fri 22
Sat 23
Sun 24
Mon 25
Tue 26
Wed 27
Thu 28
Fri 29
Princeton Breakwater
California, United States
Unknown break
Mon 18
Tue 19
Wed 20
Thu 21
Fri 22
Sat 23
Sun 24
Mon 25
Tue 26
Wed 27
Thu 28
Fri 29
Princeton Jetty
California, United States
Jetty break
Mon 18
Tue 19
Wed 20
Thu 21
Fri 22
Sat 23
Sun 24
Mon 25
Tue 26
Wed 27
Thu 28
Fri 29
Pedro Point
California, United States
Reef break
Mon 18
Tue 19
Wed 20
Thu 21
Fri 22
Sat 23
Sun 24
Mon 25
Tue 26
Wed 27
Thu 28
Fri 29
Montara State Beach
California, United States
Beach break
Mon 18
Tue 19
Wed 20
Thu 21
Fri 22
Sat 23
Sun 24
Mon 25
Tue 26
Wed 27
Thu 28
Fri 29
Mavericks
California, United States
Reef break
Mon 18
Tue 19
Wed 20
Thu 21
Fri 22
Sat 23
Sun 24
Mon 25
Tue 26
Wed 27
Thu 28
Fri 29
Maverick's
California, United States
Reef break, Offshore break, Canyon break
Mon 18
Tue 19
Wed 20
Thu 21
Fri 22
Sat 23
Sun 24
Mon 25
Tue 26
Wed 27
Thu 28
Fri 29
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Wind certainty

Wind certainty tells you how much the weather models agree on the forecast.

  • High certainty: Models agree closely; forecast is reliable.
  • Medium certainty: Some disagreement; conditions may shift slightly.
  • Low certainty: Models diverge; treat forecast with caution.

We calculate this by comparing wind speed, gust and direction from multiple models (like GFS, ECMWF, Arome, and Harmonie) and seeing how closely they match. They are weighted, meaning that some models count more than others, depending on how good they are for a certain spot.

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