Shark Pit sits way offshore at the mouth of Tomales Bay in Marin, where a left-hand barrel peels over a sandbar shaped by the river mouth. On its day it is regarded as the best left in Northern California, though those days do not come around often.
When It Works
The wave draws its swell across the west to northwest window, with northwest (NW) the best direction. It breaks over sand and is usable from 1.8 m / 6 ft to 5.5 m / 18 ft — on the right west-northwest swell it can start at head high and keep building to roughly triple that. Consistency is on the lower side, so it pays to wait for the setup to line up.
Wind and Tide
Look for southeast (SE) offshore wind to groom it. A rising tide is the call here, since the incoming push keeps the strong seaward currents at the river mouth in check. It can work through most of the tide, but that incoming water is what holds the wave together.
Local Tips
This is an experts-only wave, and not only because of the size and the currents. These are exceptionally dangerous waters: the area is a known great white breeding ground, with an attack on a surfer or diver roughly every couple of years. The lineup stays fairly quiet, and the long paddle from shore means a boat is genuinely useful for getting out and back.
Access
There are restrooms and camping nearby, along with a car park with paid parking.
