Mavericks • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (November - February)

The North Pacific roars to life in late autumn, and Mavericks is one of the first spots in California to feel the difference. November through February sees the most consistent combination of size, period and offshore wind, with average swells holding around 6ft (1.8-1.9m) and periods in the powerful 12.4-13.2s band. When the Aleutian Low couples with a positioning high pressure ridge over the West Coast, the N/NE offshore flow grooms the face and the reef at Half Moon Bay starts doing its terrifying work. December, January and February offer the highest probability of XL, charging-level surf.

Fair Surf Season (October, March & April)

October is the ramp-up: swells are still light, but periods are lengthening and offshore winds are becoming more dependable. March and April hold onto winter swells but lose quality to persistent NW/W winds and a rapidly deteriorating wind regime. This is a good time for experienced surfers to find clean dawn windows, but conditions are inconsistent and often bumpy.

Low Surf Season (May - September)

From May through September, the North Pacific storm track retreats and the summer high pressure becomes a permanent fixture. Average surf drops to 4-5ft (1.2-1.5m), periods shorten to 10-11s, and the wind blows mostly from the W/NW, chopping up the surface. Ideal conditions occur 2-12% of the time. Unless a rare eastern Pacific hurricane sends a south swell, summers at Mavericks are mostly flat and blown out.