1.6ft Hs
W from · 263° · 8.3 s
CALIFORNIA / Gaviota edgeSPOT / 956
El Cap Beachbreak.
Beach / sandbar
Left & right34.459° N / 120.018° W
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Forecast & tide at a glance
Estimated surf face · feet · Pacific time. The existing PureSurfers face-estimation engine; not a measured or calibrated breaking-wave report.
Estimated surf face1.4 ftForecast for Thu Oct 22, 4:00pm Pacific
Coastal wind5.5 mphW from
NOAA tide reference2.3 ftMLLW · Santa Barbara
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.
Thu Oct 22, 4:00pm Pacific
GFS · 4 components
2.4ft Hs
W from · 259° · 5.2 s
0.9ft Hs
S from · 186° · 13.9 s
0.6ft Hs
SSW from · 211° · 15.7 s
MFWAM · 2 components
2.2ft Hs
W from · 275° · 7.4 s
0.1ft Hs
SE from · 128° · 0.5 s
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 Thu Oct 22, 4:15pm. This is regional modeled wind, not a beach measurement.
Source retrievals: GFS Oct 22, 4:45pm · ECMWF Oct 22, 4:30pm · MFWAM Oct 22, 4:45pm. Retrieval time is not the model issue time. This page combines all available cached model families; map model selections are separate.
Tide predictions: Santa Barbara, 30 km reference; retrieved Thu Oct 22, 12:45pm. Station predictions can differ locally.
Seven-day overview
| Pacific day | Estimated surf face | Mean wind | Hours available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Oct 22 | 1.5 ft | 5.8 mph | 14/14 |
| Fri Oct 23 | 2.0 ft | 15.3 mph | 14/14 |
| Sat Oct 24 | 1.7 ft | 4.4 mph | 14/14 |
| Sun Oct 25 | 1.2 ft | 4.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Mon Oct 26 | 1.3 ft | 4.5 mph | 14/14 |
| Tue Oct 27 | 1.6 ft | 4.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Wed Oct 28 | 1.6 ft | 3.4 mph | 14/14 |
Hourly details · next 72 hours
| Pacific time | Estimated surf face | Model range | Set proxy | Swell from | Wind | Tide MLLW | Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 4:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.2–1.9 ft | 2.2 ft | WSW · 9.0 s | 5.5 mph W | 2.3 ft | 3 |
| Thu 5:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.1–1.9 ft | 2.1 ft | WSW · 8.9 s | 2.5 mph NE | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Thu 6:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.1–1.9 ft | 2.1 ft | WSW · 8.8 s | 2.7 mph NE | 3.9 ft | 3 |
| Thu 7:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.1–1.9 ft | 2.0 ft | WSW · 8.7 s | 2.8 mph E | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Thu 8:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.2–1.9 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 8.6 s | 1.7 mph N | 4.6 ft | 3 |
| Thu 9:00pm | 1.3 ft | 0.7–2.0 ft | 1.9 ft | WSW · 8.4 s | 3.3 mph NNW | 4.4 ft | 3 |
| Thu 10:00pm | 1.3 ft | 0.8–2.0 ft | 1.9 ft | WSW · 8.3 s | 6.2 mph NW | 3.6 ft | 3 |
| Thu 11:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.0–2.0 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 8.2 s | 10.1 mph NNW | 2.7 ft | 3 |
| Fri 12:00am | 1.5 ft | 1.1–2.0 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 8.2 s | 11.2 mph NNW | 1.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 1:00am | 1.5 ft | 1.2–2.1 ft | 2.3 ft | W · 8.3 s | 12.3 mph N | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 2:00am | 1.6 ft | 1.2–2.1 ft | 2.4 ft | W · 8.3 s | 13.1 mph N | 0.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 3:00am | 1.6 ft | 1.2–2.2 ft | 2.4 ft | W · 8.3 s | 18.9 mph N | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 4:00am | 1.7 ft | 1.2–2.2 ft | 2.5 ft | W · 8.2 s | 18.7 mph N | 1.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 5:00am | 1.7 ft | 1.2–2.3 ft | 2.5 ft | W · 8.2 s | 18.8 mph N | 2.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 6:00am | 1.7 ft | 1.2–2.4 ft | 2.6 ft | W · 8.2 s | 14.8 mph NNW | 4.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 7:00am | 1.8 ft | 1.2–2.4 ft | 2.7 ft | W · 8.1 s | 13.6 mph NNW | 4.8 ft | 3 |
| Fri 8:00am | 1.8 ft | 1.2–2.5 ft | 2.8 ft | W · 8.1 s | 16.4 mph N | 5.3 ft | 3 |
| Fri 9:00am | 1.9 ft | 1.3–2.6 ft | 2.9 ft | W · 8.2 s | 10.9 mph NNW | 5.2 ft | 3 |
| Fri 10:00am | 2.0 ft | 1.5–2.6 ft | 3.0 ft | W · 8.3 s | 8.1 mph NNW | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 11:00am | 2.1 ft | 1.6–2.6 ft | 3.1 ft | W · 8.3 s | 15.9 mph NNW | 3.6 ft | 3 |
| Fri 12:00pm | 2.1 ft | 1.5–2.7 ft | 3.1 ft | W · 8.2 s | 15.8 mph NNW | 2.4 ft | 3 |
| Fri 1:00pm | 2.1 ft | 1.6–2.7 ft | 3.2 ft | W · 8.0 s | 15.4 mph NNW | 1.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 2:00pm | 2.1 ft | 1.6–2.7 ft | 3.2 ft | W · 7.9 s | 16.4 mph NNW | 0.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 3:00pm | 2.1 ft | 1.6–2.7 ft | 3.2 ft | W · 7.7 s | 16.9 mph NNW | 0.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 4:00pm | 2.0 ft | 1.6–2.8 ft | 3.1 ft | W · 7.5 s | 18.1 mph NNW | 1.3 ft | 3 |
| Fri 5:00pm | 2.1 ft | 1.7–2.8 ft | 3.1 ft | W · 7.4 s | 17.6 mph NNW | 2.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 6:00pm | 2.2 ft | 1.8–2.9 ft | 3.4 ft | WNW · 7.4 s | 17.1 mph NNW | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 7:00pm | 2.3 ft | 1.8–2.9 ft | 3.4 ft | WNW · 7.4 s | 17.1 mph NNW | 4.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 8:00pm | 2.3 ft | 1.7–2.9 ft | 3.4 ft | WNW · 7.6 s | 13.9 mph N | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 9:00pm | 2.3 ft | 1.9–2.9 ft | 3.5 ft | WNW · 7.8 s | 9.5 mph NNE | 4.6 ft | 3 |
| Fri 10:00pm | 2.1 ft | 1.4–2.8 ft | 3.2 ft | WNW · 8.1 s | 4.1 mph NE | 4.2 ft | 3 |
| Fri 11:00pm | 2.1 ft | 1.5–2.8 ft | 3.2 ft | WNW · 8.3 s | 2.9 mph NNW | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 12:00am | 2.1 ft | 1.5–2.7 ft | 3.1 ft | WNW · 8.5 s | 3.6 mph NW | 2.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 1:00am | 2.1 ft | 1.4–2.7 ft | 3.1 ft | W · 8.7 s | 2.6 mph NNW | 1.6 ft | 3 |
| Sat 2:00am | 2.0 ft | 1.3–2.6 ft | 3.0 ft | W · 8.9 s | 2.9 mph N | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 3:00am | 2.0 ft | 1.3–2.5 ft | 3.0 ft | W · 9.0 s | 3.7 mph NE | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 4:00am | 2.0 ft | 1.3–2.5 ft | 2.9 ft | W · 9.1 s | 1.9 mph NNE | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 5:00am | 1.9 ft | 1.3–2.5 ft | 2.9 ft | W · 9.2 s | 1.6 mph NNW | 2.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 6:00am | 1.9 ft | 1.2–2.4 ft | 2.8 ft | W · 9.3 s | 1.5 mph NNE | 3.8 ft | 3 |
| Sat 7:00am | 1.8 ft | 1.2–2.4 ft | 2.8 ft | W · 9.3 s | 2.0 mph NNE | 4.9 ft | 3 |
| Sat 8:00am | 1.8 ft | 1.2–2.4 ft | 2.7 ft | W · 9.4 s | 1.5 mph NNE | 5.6 ft | 3 |
| Sat 9:00am | 1.8 ft | 1.1–2.4 ft | 2.7 ft | W · 9.4 s | 3.0 mph SW | 5.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 10:00am | 1.8 ft | 1.1–2.3 ft | 2.7 ft | W · 9.4 s | 1.8 mph SW | 5.2 ft | 3 |
| Sat 11:00am | 1.8 ft | 1.1–2.3 ft | 2.6 ft | W · 9.4 s | 3.7 mph SW | 4.2 ft | 3 |
| Sat 12:00pm | 1.7 ft | 1.0–2.3 ft | 2.6 ft | W · 9.4 s | 4.9 mph SW | 2.9 ft | 3 |
| Sat 1:00pm | 1.7 ft | 1.0–2.3 ft | 2.6 ft | W · 9.4 s | 6.0 mph SW | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 2:00pm | 1.7 ft | 1.0–2.3 ft | 2.5 ft | W · 9.3 s | 6.8 mph WSW | 0.7 ft | 3 |
| Sat 3:00pm | 1.7 ft | 1.0–2.3 ft | 2.5 ft | W · 9.1 s | 7.5 mph WSW | 0.3 ft | 3 |
| Sat 4:00pm | 1.6 ft | 1.0–2.2 ft | 2.5 ft | W · 8.8 s | 7.7 mph WSW | 0.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 5:00pm | 1.7 ft | 1.1–2.2 ft | 2.5 ft | W · 8.5 s | 6.7 mph WSW | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 6:00pm | 1.7 ft | 1.1–2.2 ft | 2.5 ft | W · 8.4 s | 4.0 mph W | 2.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 7:00pm | 1.7 ft | 1.2–2.2 ft | 2.5 ft | W · 8.3 s | 4.7 mph NNW | 3.2 ft | 3 |
| Sat 8:00pm | 1.7 ft | 1.5–2.1 ft | 2.6 ft | W · 8.2 s | 6.1 mph N | 4.0 ft | 3 |
| Sat 9:00pm | 1.6 ft | 1.1–2.1 ft | 2.4 ft | W · 8.3 s | 6.2 mph N | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Sat 10:00pm | 1.6 ft | 1.1–2.0 ft | 2.4 ft | W · 8.5 s | 5.7 mph N | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Sat 11:00pm | 1.5 ft | 1.1–1.9 ft | 2.3 ft | W · 8.6 s | 5.5 mph N | 3.9 ft | 3 |
| Sun 12:00am | 1.6 ft | 1.3–1.9 ft | 2.4 ft | W · 8.7 s | 5.6 mph N | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Sun 1:00am | 1.4 ft | 0.9–1.9 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 8.8 s | 5.4 mph N | 2.2 ft | 3 |
| Sun 2:00am | 1.4 ft | 1.0–1.9 ft | 2.2 ft | W · 8.8 s | 5.3 mph NNE | 1.6 ft | 3 |
| Sun 3:00am | 1.4 ft | 0.9–1.9 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 8.9 s | 5.0 mph NNE | 1.3 ft | 3 |
| Sun 4:00am | 1.4 ft | 0.9–1.8 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 9.0 s | 4.7 mph NNE | 1.7 ft | 3 |
| Sun 5:00am | 1.3 ft | 0.8–1.8 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 9.0 s | 4.3 mph NNE | 2.5 ft | 3 |
| Sun 6:00am | 1.3 ft | 0.8–1.8 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 9.1 s | 4.1 mph NNE | 3.6 ft | 3 |
| Sun 7:00am | 1.3 ft | 0.8–1.7 ft | 1.9 ft | W · 9.1 s | 4.2 mph NNE | 4.8 ft | 3 |
| Sun 8:00am | 1.3 ft | 0.8–1.7 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 9.2 s | 4.2 mph NNE | 5.7 ft | 3 |
| Sun 9:00am | 1.3 ft | 0.8–1.7 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 9.2 s | 2.5 mph NE | 6.1 ft | 3 |
| Sun 10:00am | 1.3 ft | 0.8–1.7 ft | 1.9 ft | W · 9.1 s | 1.7 mph SSE | 5.9 ft | 3 |
| Sun 11:00am | 1.3 ft | 0.8–1.7 ft | 1.9 ft | W · 9.1 s | 3.6 mph SSW | 5.0 ft | 3 |
| Sun 12:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.8–1.7 ft | 1.9 ft | W · 9.1 s | 4.1 mph SSW | 3.7 ft | 3 |
| Sun 1:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.7–1.7 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 9.2 s | 4.9 mph SSW | 2.2 ft | 3 |
| Sun 2:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.7–1.7 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 9.1 s | 5.1 mph SW | 0.9 ft | 3 |
| Sun 3:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.7–1.7 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 8.8 s | 4.9 mph SW | 0.0 ft | 3 |
| Sun 4:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.7–1.7 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 8.4 s | 5.2 mph SW | -0.3 ft | 3 |
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
The fickle sandbar inside the El Cap cove, distinct from the famous cobblestone point.
Also known as El Cap sandbar · Campground beachbreak.
- Break type
- Beach / sandbar
- Wave direction
- Left & right
- Reported difficulty
- Intermediate
- Bottom
- Sand with scattered rock
- Reported swell preference
- W–WNW with enough size
- Reported tide preference
- Sandbar-dependent; usually low–mid
Older local accounts remember a more legitimate beachbreak when the cove held more sand. Treat it as a moving target rather than a permanent takeoff.
Before paddling out: Shifting bars, shorebreak, rocks, campground traffic and state-park conditions.
El Capitan State Beach Approximate beach-zone pin
Source references
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
THE FIELD GUIDE / El Cap Beachbreak
Read this stretch of coast.
Follow the swell window
The catalogue’s reported preference for El Cap Beachbreak is “W–WNW with enough size”. Compare that description with each component’s incoming direction and period. An offshore swell number is a reference; the local wave still depends on the actual shoreline, bottom and tide.
Check the water level
Reported tide preference: Sandbar-dependent; usually low–mid. Follow the named NOAA station and its trend through your intended session, then inspect the entry and exit at the beach. A station prediction is not a water-level sensor at this takeoff.
Read the bottom and the lineup
Catalogue bottom: Sand with scattered rock. Reported difficulty: Intermediate. Watch several sets before choosing where to enter, keep clear of riders, and compare the actual wave with your ability and equipment.
A useful note for next time
Record the section you actually surfed, the time, incoming swell direction and period, wind and tide trend. Add what the wave did: connected sections, closeouts, drift or exposed obstacles. Comparing that observation with the same model next time is more useful than treating one colored number as the whole session.
Camera references nearby
No nearby camera reference in the current registry. The atlas camera layer may have other regional views.
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
2.56–3.87 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.