California • San Mateo County • Buoy: 46012

Mavericks

Good

Wave Height

4-6

ft

Swell

~13s

SSW

Wind

13mph

Onshore (NW)

Water

64°

3/2mm

Rising• High in 7h 17m

Updated: 10/11/2026, 5:37:52 PM • Data: Open-Meteo

Accurate?

Surf Graph

Clean
Fair
Choppy
Flat

Tide Forecast

Today
H10:19am4.5ft
L2:44pm3.1ft
H8:46pm5.7ft
Tomorrow
L3:45am0.1ft
H11:21am4.3ft
L3:29pm3.5ft
H9:24pm5.5ft
Fri, Oct 16
L4:34am0.3ft
H12:32pm4.2ft
L4:28pm3.7ft
H10:11pm5.2ft

Recent History

No recent history available

About Mavericks

Mavericks is one of the most famous big-wave spots on Earth, a deepwater reef break a half mile offshore from Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay. When massive North Pacific storms send swells of 25 feet and above, Mavericks transforms into a towering, terrifying right-hand wave that has claimed lives and made legends. The wave breaks over a jagged rock reef in frigid, shark-populated waters. Only a handful of surfers in the world are qualified to ride it at full size. For the rest of us, the smaller days (10-15 feet) are impressive enough, and the annual big-wave events draw global attention. This is California surfing at its most extreme.

FAQ

What is the water temperature at Mavericks?

The current water temperature at Mavericks is 64°F. A 3/2mm wetsuit is recommended.

What is the surf like at Mavericks today?

Mavericks currently has waves around 4-6ft. Conditions change throughout the day, so check back for updated forecasts.

What time is high tide at Mavericks?

Today's high tide at Mavericks is at 6:19 AM ET. Tide times shift daily, so check our forecast for upcoming tide schedules.

What time is low tide at Mavericks?

Today's low tide at Mavericks is at 11:01 PM ET. Tide times shift daily, so check our forecast for upcoming tide schedules.

What are the best conditions for surfing Mavericks?

Mavericks works best with swells from the W, WNW, NW and E, SE, NE winds (offshore). The ideal tide is mid.

Is Mavericks good for beginners?

Mavericks is recommended for experienced surfers only. The waves here can be powerful and conditions challenging. Beginners should look for more forgiving spots nearby.

This Week's Outlook

Wednesday morning looks cleanest with 5ft waves, 11s period, and onshore winds to groom it up before the swell starts dropping through the week. If you can't make that, Friday morning is your backup with similar size and shape, though it'll be a touch smaller overall.

Updated 10/13/2026, 6:14:10 PM

Spot Info

Break TypeReef Break
BottomRock and Reef
Skill LevelExpert Only
CrowdLight (only big wave surfers)
Best TideMid
Best SwellW, WNW, NW
Best WindE, SE, NE
ParkingPillar Point Harbor parking, paddle or jet ski to lineup

Local Tip

This is a big-wave-only spot. Do not paddle out unless you are an expert in heavy surf. Lives have been lost here.