5.5ft Hs
WNW from · 284° · 9.6 s
CALIFORNIA / Santa Cruz · guideSPOT / 281
Cowell’s.
Cowell’s sheltered point setting
Right (World Surfing Reserve guide)36.960° N / 122.030° W
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Forecast & tide at a glance
Regional wave height (Hs) · feet · Pacific time. Regional significant wave height is not the height breaking at the beach.
Regional wave height (Hs)6.5 ftOlder cached forecast Wed Nov 11, 6:00pm Pacific
Coastal wind5.1 mphW from
NOAA tide reference-0.3 ftMLLW · Monterey
READ THE INDIVIDUAL SWELLS
Swell by swell.
Offshore component height (Hs), not surf-face height. Directions are where waves come from. Component heights do not add together.
Wed Nov 11, 6:00pm Pacific
MFWAM · 2 components
0.0ft Hs
No energy reported for this component
GFS · all-zero feed unconfirmed
This model reports only zeros across its cached partition forecast while another model reports swell. This is not confirmation of flat surf. Check the other source or try refreshing later.
Each model supplies its own partitions. Missing components remain unavailable; another model’s primary swell is not automatically the same wave system.
Coastal wind retrieved Wed Nov 11, 6:15pm. This is regional modeled wind, not a beach measurement.
Source retrievals: GFS Nov 11, 5:15pm (older cache) · ECMWF Nov 11, 6:00pm · MFWAM Nov 11, 5:15pm (older cache). Retrieval time is not the model issue time. This page combines all available cached model families; map model selections are separate.
Tide predictions: Monterey, 41 km reference; retrieved Wed Nov 11, 1:15pm. Station predictions can differ locally.
Seven-day overview
| Pacific day | Regional wave height (Hs) | Mean wind | Hours available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Nov 11 | 7.3 ft | 4.9 mph | 14/14 |
| Thu Nov 12 | 8.8 ft | 11.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Fri Nov 13 | 11.0 ft | 14.0 mph | 14/14 |
| Sat Nov 14 | 18.3 ft | 4.7 mph | 14/14 |
| Sun Nov 15 | 10.8 ft | 3.7 mph | 14/14 |
| Mon Nov 16 | 13.8 ft | 5.8 mph | 14/14 |
| Tue Nov 17 | 10.4 ft | 6.4 mph | 14/14 |
Hourly details · next 72 hours
| Pacific time | Regional wave height (Hs) | Model range | Swell from | Wind | Tide MLLW | Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 6:00pm | 6.5 ft | 5.7–7.3 ft | WNW · 11.8 s | 5.1 mph W | -0.3 ft | 2 |
| Wed 7:00pm | 6.4 ft | 5.6–7.2 ft | WNW · 11.8 s | 4.0 mph W | -0.1 ft | 2 |
| Wed 8:00pm | 6.5 ft | 5.7–7.3 ft | WNW · 11.8 s | 6.7 mph W | 0.5 ft | 2 |
| Wed 9:00pm | 6.6 ft | 5.8–7.4 ft | WNW · 11.9 s | 6.1 mph W | 1.3 ft | 2 |
| Wed 10:00pm | 6.7 ft | 5.8–7.5 ft | WNW · 12.0 s | 4.7 mph W | 2.2 ft | 2 |
| Wed 11:00pm | 6.8 ft | 6.0–7.6 ft | WNW · 12.1 s | 5.0 mph W | 3.0 ft | 2 |
| Thu 12:00am | 7.0 ft | 6.1–7.8 ft | WNW · 12.3 s | 6.5 mph W | 3.5 ft | 2 |
| Thu 1:00am | 7.1 ft | 6.2–7.9 ft | WNW · 12.4 s | 4.9 mph W | 3.7 ft | 2 |
| Thu 2:00am | 7.3 ft | 6.4–8.1 ft | WNW · 12.5 s | 4.5 mph W | 3.7 ft | 2 |
| Thu 3:00am | 7.5 ft | 6.6–8.4 ft | WNW · 12.6 s | 3.8 mph SW | 3.6 ft | 2 |
| Thu 4:00am | 7.6 ft | 6.7–8.6 ft | WNW · 12.6 s | 4.9 mph SSW | 3.4 ft | 2 |
| Thu 5:00am | 7.8 ft | 6.8–8.7 ft | WNW · 12.7 s | 3.6 mph S | 3.3 ft | 2 |
| Thu 6:00am | 7.9 ft | 7.0–8.9 ft | WNW · 12.8 s | 3.6 mph SSW | 3.5 ft | 2 |
| Thu 7:00am | 8.0 ft | 7.1–9.0 ft | WNW · 12.8 s | 4.7 mph SSE | 3.8 ft | 2 |
| Thu 8:00am | 8.1 ft | 7.2–9.1 ft | WNW · 12.9 s | 1.6 mph ESE | 4.3 ft | 2 |
| Thu 9:00am | 8.2 ft | 7.3–9.2 ft | WNW · 13.0 s | 6.3 mph SSE | 4.9 ft | 2 |
| Thu 10:00am | 8.3 ft | 7.4–9.3 ft | WNW · 13.1 s | 7.9 mph SE | 5.3 ft | 2 |
| Thu 11:00am | 8.5 ft | 7.5–9.4 ft | WNW · 13.1 s | 6.1 mph SSE | 5.4 ft | 2 |
| Thu 12:00pm | 8.7 ft | 7.7–9.6 ft | WNW · 13.1 s | 10.0 mph S | 5.2 ft | 2 |
| Thu 1:00pm | 8.8 ft | 7.9–9.7 ft | W · 13.0 s | 16.0 mph S | 4.6 ft | 2 |
| Thu 2:00pm | 9.1 ft | 8.1–10.0 ft | W · 12.8 s | 16.4 mph SSW | 3.7 ft | 2 |
| Thu 3:00pm | 9.3 ft | 8.4–10.2 ft | W · 12.5 s | 17.0 mph SSW | 2.6 ft | 2 |
| Thu 4:00pm | 9.5 ft | 8.7–10.4 ft | W · 12.3 s | 19.7 mph SSW | 1.5 ft | 2 |
| Thu 5:00pm | 9.6 ft | 8.7–10.5 ft | W · 12.2 s | 17.6 mph SSW | 0.6 ft | 2 |
| Thu 6:00pm | 9.7 ft | 8.8–10.6 ft | W · 12.2 s | 16.9 mph S | 0.0 ft | 2 |
| Thu 7:00pm | 9.7 ft | 8.9–10.6 ft | W · 12.1 s | 11.9 mph S | -0.1 ft | 2 |
| Thu 8:00pm | 9.7 ft | 8.9–10.6 ft | W · 12.0 s | 7.3 mph SSE | 0.1 ft | 2 |
| Thu 9:00pm | 9.7 ft | 8.9–10.6 ft | W · 12.0 s | 10.6 mph SE | 0.8 ft | 2 |
| Thu 10:00pm | 9.7 ft | 8.9–10.5 ft | W · 12.0 s | 8.5 mph SE | 1.6 ft | 2 |
| Thu 11:00pm | 9.7 ft | 8.9–10.5 ft | W · 11.9 s | 5.5 mph SE | 2.4 ft | 2 |
| Fri 12:00am | 9.7 ft | 8.9–10.6 ft | W · 11.8 s | 6.2 mph E | 3.0 ft | 2 |
| Fri 1:00am | 9.8 ft | 9.0–10.6 ft | W · 11.8 s | 5.4 mph E | 3.5 ft | 2 |
| Fri 2:00am | 9.7 ft | 9.0–10.5 ft | W · 11.8 s | 5.2 mph ENE | 3.7 ft | 2 |
| Fri 3:00am | 9.7 ft | 9.0–10.4 ft | W · 11.9 s | 6.8 mph E | 3.7 ft | 2 |
| Fri 4:00am | 9.6 ft | 9.0–10.3 ft | W · 11.9 s | 5.7 mph NNE | 3.6 ft | 2 |
| Fri 5:00am | 9.7 ft | 9.0–10.4 ft | W · 11.7 s | 4.0 mph NE | 3.5 ft | 2 |
| Fri 6:00am | 9.7 ft | 9.0–10.4 ft | W · 11.6 s | 4.1 mph NE | 3.5 ft | 2 |
| Fri 7:00am | 9.7 ft | 9.0–10.5 ft | W · 11.3 s | 5.5 mph ENE | 3.6 ft | 2 |
| Fri 8:00am | 9.9 ft | 9.2–10.6 ft | W · 11.0 s | 7.3 mph E | 4.0 ft | 2 |
| Fri 9:00am | 10.0 ft | 9.4–10.6 ft | W · 10.6 s | 12.4 mph SSE | 4.4 ft | 2 |
| Fri 10:00am | 10.1 ft | 9.6–10.7 ft | WSW · 10.2 s | 15.2 mph S | 4.8 ft | 2 |
| Fri 11:00am | 10.5 ft | 9.8–11.2 ft | WSW · 9.9 s | 19.6 mph SSW | 5.1 ft | 2 |
| Fri 12:00pm | 10.9 ft | 10.2–11.6 ft | WSW · 9.6 s | 22.5 mph SSW | 5.1 ft | 2 |
| Fri 1:00pm | 11.3 ft | 10.4–12.1 ft | WSW · 9.5 s | 18.7 mph SSW | 4.8 ft | 2 |
| Fri 2:00pm | 11.4 ft | 10.5–12.2 ft | WSW · 9.7 s | 21.2 mph SSW | 4.2 ft | 2 |
| Fri 3:00pm | 11.5 ft | 10.6–12.3 ft | W · 10.1 s | 18.9 mph SW | 3.3 ft | 2 |
| Fri 4:00pm | 11.6 ft | 10.7–12.5 ft | W · 10.7 s | 18.5 mph SW | 2.3 ft | 2 |
| Fri 5:00pm | 12.2 ft | 11.2–13.2 ft | W · 11.3 s | 16.2 mph WNW | 1.3 ft | 2 |
| Fri 6:00pm | 12.7 ft | 11.5–13.8 ft | W · 11.9 s | 8.5 mph WNW | 0.5 ft | 2 |
| Fri 7:00pm | 13.3 ft | 12.0–14.6 ft | W · 12.6 s | 7.4 mph NW | 0.1 ft | 2 |
| Fri 8:00pm | 14.1 ft | 12.8–15.5 ft | WNW · 13.4 s | 6.0 mph NW | 0.1 ft | 2 |
| Fri 9:00pm | 15.0 ft | 13.6–16.4 ft | WNW · 14.1 s | 6.2 mph NW | 0.4 ft | 2 |
| Fri 10:00pm | 15.9 ft | 14.4–17.3 ft | WNW · 14.7 s | 4.9 mph NNW | 1.0 ft | 2 |
| Fri 11:00pm | 16.6 ft | 15.1–18.2 ft | WNW · 15.2 s | 4.5 mph N | 1.8 ft | 2 |
| Sat 12:00am | 17.4 ft | 15.7–19.1 ft | WNW · 15.6 s | 5.4 mph N | 2.5 ft | 2 |
| Sat 1:00am | 18.1 ft | 16.3–19.9 ft | WNW · 15.9 s | 5.1 mph NNE | 3.1 ft | 2 |
| Sat 2:00am | 18.6 ft | 16.7–20.6 ft | WNW · 16.1 s | 5.0 mph N | 3.5 ft | 2 |
| Sat 3:00am | 19.1 ft | 17.0–21.2 ft | WNW · 16.2 s | 3.8 mph N | 3.7 ft | 2 |
| Sat 4:00am | 19.6 ft | 17.3–21.9 ft | WNW · 16.2 s | 3.9 mph NNE | 3.7 ft | 2 |
| Sat 5:00am | 19.8 ft | 17.4–22.2 ft | WNW · 16.2 s | 3.8 mph NNE | 3.6 ft | 2 |
| Sat 6:00am | 19.9 ft | 17.4–22.4 ft | WNW · 16.1 s | 4.4 mph NNE | 3.5 ft | 2 |
| Sat 7:00am | 20.1 ft | 17.5–22.8 ft | WNW · 16.1 s | 4.1 mph NE | 3.6 ft | 2 |
| Sat 8:00am | 20.0 ft | 17.5–22.6 ft | WNW · 16.0 s | 2.6 mph NE | 3.7 ft | 2 |
| Sat 9:00am | 20.0 ft | 17.4–22.6 ft | WNW · 15.9 s | 1.4 mph NE | 4.0 ft | 2 |
| Sat 10:00am | 19.9 ft | 17.4–22.4 ft | WNW · 15.7 s | 1.0 mph NNW | 4.4 ft | 2 |
| Sat 11:00am | 19.5 ft | 17.1–21.9 ft | WNW · 15.6 s | 2.1 mph SSW | 4.7 ft | 2 |
| Sat 12:00pm | 19.1 ft | 16.8–21.3 ft | WNW · 15.4 s | 5.4 mph SSW | 4.8 ft | 2 |
| Sat 1:00pm | 18.6 ft | 16.5–20.8 ft | WNW · 15.3 s | 7.2 mph SW | 4.8 ft | 2 |
| Sat 2:00pm | 18.0 ft | 16.0–20.1 ft | WNW · 15.1 s | 7.5 mph SW | 4.5 ft | 2 |
| Sat 3:00pm | 17.5 ft | 15.6–19.3 ft | WNW · 15.0 s | 7.1 mph SW | 3.8 ft | 2 |
| Sat 4:00pm | 16.9 ft | 15.2–18.6 ft | WNW · 14.8 s | 6.6 mph WSW | 3.0 ft | 2 |
| Sat 5:00pm | 16.3 ft | 14.7–17.8 ft | WNW · 14.6 s | 5.4 mph W | 2.1 ft | 2 |
| Sat 6:00pm | 15.6 ft | 14.2–17.1 ft | WNW · 14.5 s | 5.5 mph WNW | 1.2 ft | 2 |
Model spread is not a confidence interval. Tide and wind are context, not new corrections to surf size. Larger sets and changing hazards remain possible.
This page reads the shared cache first. Refresh requests only this spot’s existing regional samples.
Know the spot
Cowell’s is a sheltered point reference with west swell favoured in the guide.
- Break type
- Point break (reported)
- Wave direction
- Right (World Surfing Reserve guide)
- Reported difficulty
- Not yet verified
- Bottom
- Sand with rock reef (World Surfing Reserve guide)
- Reported swell preference
- W (published preference; not an exclusive window)
- Reported tide preference
- Lower tides favoured in the World Surfing Reserve guide; sand shape still matters
Catalogue notes and review history
Statewide research draft / Santa Cruz County. Approximate directory-area search seed: 36.96, -122.03. NOT a verified takeoff.
Statewide recovery: source-area coordinates are not owner-confirmed takeoffs. Sources may round or obscure positions. Named sections may share a reference coordinate; their distinct takeoffs are not implied. No route, access permission or current ocean condition is established. Source note: Research batch: california-coast-expansion-20260927. Public reference checked 27 September 2026. Approximate directory-area search seed: 36.96, -122.03. NOT a verified takeoff.
https://www.surf-forecast.com/breaks/Cowells-Cove/forecasts/latest/six_day
The reference was retained from the interrupted 27 September research pass; not every individual page was rechecked on 28 September. The source location is approximate, not a surveyed takeoff.
Before paddling out: Access, water quality, local hazards and current restrictions need independent checks. Directory inclusion is not permission or a safety assessment.
Access not independently verified Approximate directory-area reference. May be displaced or obscured in its source; NOT a takeoff, route, access point or survey.
Source references
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
THE FIELD GUIDE / Cowell’s
Read this stretch of coast.
Cowell’s sheltered point setting
Watch how much energy reaches the inside line and whether a ride connects. The number and experience of people sharing the wave are part of judging the session.
Swell, wind and water level
Reported swell reference: W (published preference; not an exclusive window). Wind reference from retained sources: shelter from NW is noted by the World Surfing Reserve; other guidance gives NE. Reported tide guidance: Lower tides favoured in the World Surfing Reserve guide; sand shape still matters. Compare each swell’s direction and period with the actual breaking line. These qualitative descriptions are not calibrated height multipliers or fixed tide cutoffs.
What to refine on your next check
Confirm the actual takeoff, local tide response and any missing peel/difficulty details.
Research and sources · 5 October 2026
A researched starting point for local refinement. Reported preferences can differ between guides; sand and rock labels inferred from break classifications are not seabed surveys. Forecast data and catalogue coordinates are separate from this editorial research.
- Surf-Forecast — Cowell’s published spot guide
- Save The Waves — Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve
Camera references nearby
Cowells Beach research camera ↗
U.S. Geological Survey · about 0.4 km from the catalogue pin · periodic-stills
Research camera snapshot looking southward over Cowells Beach.
Santa Cruz Harbor ↗
Visit Santa Cruz County · about 2.5 km from the catalogue pin · video-page
Harbor-camera page published by the county visitor organization.
Capitola Beach ↗
City of Capitola / Surfline · about 7.0 km from the catalogue pin · video-page
City-hosted beach-camera page with multiple player views of Capitola.
Links to third-party camera pages, not owned feeds. Proximity does not confirm the camera sees this break. Playback and image freshness have not been verified by this page.
Make the next session easier
Lineup etiquette · Paddling technique · How these forecasts work
Nearby spots to compare
PureSurfers is built by Peter Ochabski. Spot profiles combine retained sources and contributor observations; this is not a claim he has surfed or verified every entry.
COASTAL WAVE GUIDANCE
Waves at the model cells
7.22–7.22 ftSignificant wave height (Hs) before the legacy spot reduction. This is not a measured breaking-face or set range.
Nearshore and buoy trends load here. Coverage and observation times are shown separately.