FOR THE LOVE OF IT / CALIFORNIA
El Capitan surf forecast & spot guide
Surf, wind and tide context for El Capitan, Gaviota edge. Read the spot profile, compare forecasts and open the same break in the atlas.
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.
Coastal wind retrieved Fri Oct 2, 8:16am · older cache. This is regional modeled wind, not a beach measurement.
Source retrievals: GFS Oct 2, 8:15am (older cache) · ECMWF Oct 2, 8:15am (older cache) · MFWAM Oct 2, 8:15am (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: Santa Barbara, 31 km reference; retrieved Fri Oct 2, 8:16am. Station predictions can differ locally.
Seven-day overview
| Pacific day | Estimated surf face | Mean wind | Hours available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri Oct 2 | 1.3 ft | 5.1 mph | 14/14 |
| Sat Oct 3 | 1.1 ft | 3.9 mph | 14/14 |
| Sun Oct 4 | 1.1 ft | 4.8 mph | 14/14 |
| Mon Oct 5 | 1.0 ft | 4.5 mph | 14/14 |
| Tue Oct 6 | 1.2 ft | 4.3 mph | 14/14 |
| Wed Oct 7 | 1.3 ft | 3.9 mph | 14/14 |
| Thu Oct 8 | 1.4 ft | 3.7 mph | 14/14 |
Hourly details · next 72 hours
| Pacific time | Estimated surf face | Model range | Set proxy | Swell from | Wind | Tide MLLW | Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 10:00am | 1.4 ft | 1.1–1.5 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 10.2 s | 2.6 mph S | 4.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 11:00am | 1.3 ft | 1.0–1.5 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 10.2 s | 3.8 mph SW | 4.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 12:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.1–1.5 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 10.3 s | 4.4 mph S | 5.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 1:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.1–1.5 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 10.3 s | 6.9 mph SW | 5.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 2:00pm | 1.3 ft | 1.1–1.5 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 10.3 s | 7.0 mph WSW | 5.6 ft | 3 |
| Fri 3:00pm | 1.3 ft | 1.1–1.5 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 10.3 s | 6.5 mph SW | 5.4 ft | 3 |
| Fri 4:00pm | 1.3 ft | 1.1–1.4 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 10.2 s | 4.5 mph SW | 4.9 ft | 3 |
| Fri 5:00pm | 1.3 ft | 1.1–1.4 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 8.4 s | 4.4 mph WSW | 4.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 6:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.4 ft | 1.9 ft | W · 8.2 s | 5.3 mph WSW | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 7:00pm | 1.2 ft | 1.0–1.4 ft | 1.9 ft | W · 8.0 s | 4.4 mph WSW | 2.0 ft | 3 |
| Fri 8:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.4–1.4 ft | 2.1 ft | W · 7.9 s | 2.5 mph W | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Fri 9:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.4–1.4 ft | 2.1 ft | WSW · 12.2 s | 3.6 mph NNE | 0.5 ft | 3 |
| Fri 10:00pm | 1.4 ft | 1.4–1.4 ft | 2.0 ft | WSW · 12.0 s | 3.4 mph NE | 0.2 ft | 3 |
| Fri 11:00pm | 1.3 ft | 1.3–1.4 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 9.8 s | 3.8 mph E | 0.3 ft | 3 |
| Sat 12:00am | 1.3 ft | 1.2–1.4 ft | 2.0 ft | W · 9.8 s | 5.3 mph E | 0.6 ft | 3 |
| Sat 1:00am | 1.3 ft | 1.2–1.4 ft | 2.0 ft | WSW · 9.8 s | 4.3 mph E | 1.3 ft | 3 |
| Sat 2:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.4 ft | 1.8 ft | WSW · 9.9 s | 2.3 mph ENE | 2.0 ft | 3 |
| Sat 3:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.4 ft | 1.8 ft | WSW · 9.9 s | 4.7 mph ENE | 2.6 ft | 3 |
| Sat 4:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.4 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 9.9 s | 4.0 mph ESE | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 5:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.4 ft | 1.8 ft | W · 9.9 s | 3.7 mph E | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 6:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.8–1.4 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 9.9 s | 3.9 mph E | 3.6 ft | 3 |
| Sat 7:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.3 ft | 1.8 ft | WSW · 9.9 s | 4.4 mph NE | 3.5 ft | 3 |
| Sat 8:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.7–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | WSW · 10.0 s | 1.1 mph ESE | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 9:00am | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.4 ft | 1.8 ft | WSW · 10.0 s | 2.2 mph S | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 10:00am | 1.2 ft | 1.0–1.4 ft | 1.8 ft | WSW · 10.0 s | 2.7 mph S | 3.5 ft | 3 |
| Sat 11:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.6–1.4 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 10.0 s | 3.9 mph SSW | 3.8 ft | 3 |
| Sat 12:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.4 ft | 1.7 ft | WSW · 10.0 s | 3.5 mph SSW | 4.2 ft | 3 |
| Sat 1:00pm | 1.2 ft | 0.9–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | WSW · 10.0 s | 4.2 mph SW | 4.6 ft | 3 |
| Sat 2:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.6–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 10.1 s | 5.7 mph WSW | 5.1 ft | 3 |
| Sat 3:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.7–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 10.1 s | 4.6 mph WSW | 5.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 4:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.7–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 10.1 s | 5.2 mph WSW | 5.3 ft | 3 |
| Sat 5:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 7.9 s | 5.8 mph W | 5.0 ft | 3 |
| Sat 6:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 7.8 s | 4.3 mph W | 4.3 ft | 3 |
| Sat 7:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.2 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 7.6 s | 2.8 mph W | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Sat 8:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 7.6 s | 3.6 mph WNW | 2.3 ft | 3 |
| Sat 9:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 7.8 s | 4.3 mph NW | 1.3 ft | 3 |
| Sat 10:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | W · 8.0 s | 3.9 mph WNW | 0.5 ft | 3 |
| Sat 11:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | W · 8.3 s | 8.2 mph NNW | 0.1 ft | 3 |
| Sun 12:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | W · 8.5 s | 12.1 mph N | 0.0 ft | 3 |
| Sun 1:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 8.7 s | 5.3 mph ENE | 0.4 ft | 3 |
| Sun 2:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 8.9 s | 2.9 mph E | 1.1 ft | 3 |
| Sun 3:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 9.1 s | 2.6 mph E | 1.9 ft | 3 |
| Sun 4:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | W · 9.2 s | 4.2 mph SSE | 2.7 ft | 3 |
| Sun 5:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 4.0 mph NE | 3.4 ft | 3 |
| Sun 6:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.7–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 9.4 s | 4.6 mph NNE | 3.8 ft | 3 |
| Sun 7:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 9.4 s | 4.7 mph NNE | 3.9 ft | 3 |
| Sun 8:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | WSW · 9.4 s | 4.4 mph NE | 3.8 ft | 3 |
| Sun 9:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | WSW · 9.4 s | 2.6 mph ESE | 3.6 ft | 3 |
| Sun 10:00am | 1.0 ft | 0.6–1.3 ft | 1.5 ft | WSW · 9.5 s | 3.7 mph S | 3.3 ft | 3 |
| Sun 11:00am | 1.1 ft | 0.9–1.3 ft | 1.7 ft | WSW · 9.5 s | 5.2 mph S | 3.2 ft | 3 |
| Sun 12:00pm | 1.0 ft | 0.6–1.3 ft | 1.5 ft | WSW · 9.5 s | 6.3 mph S | 3.3 ft | 3 |
| Sun 1:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.7–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 9.6 s | 6.9 mph S | 3.6 ft | 3 |
| Sun 2:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 9.5 s | 7.1 mph S | 4.2 ft | 3 |
| Sun 3:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 5.8 mph S | 4.7 ft | 3 |
| Sun 4:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 9.0 s | 4.5 mph SSW | 5.2 ft | 3 |
| Sun 5:00pm | 0.9 ft | 0.4–1.3 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 8.8 s | 3.5 mph WSW | 5.4 ft | 3 |
| Sun 6:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 8.8 s | 3.9 mph WNW | 5.2 ft | 3 |
| Sun 7:00pm | 1.0 ft | 0.5–1.2 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 8.9 s | 4.2 mph NW | 4.6 ft | 3 |
| Sun 8:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.2 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 9.0 s | 4.6 mph N | 3.6 ft | 3 |
| Sun 9:00pm | 1.1 ft | 0.8–1.3 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 9.1 s | 5.5 mph N | 2.5 ft | 3 |
| Sun 10:00pm | 0.9 ft | 0.4–1.3 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 9.2 s | 5.8 mph NNE | 1.4 ft | 3 |
| Sun 11:00pm | 0.9 ft | 0.4–1.3 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 9.2 s | 5.8 mph NNE | 0.5 ft | 3 |
| Mon 12:00am | 1.0 ft | 0.8–1.2 ft | 1.5 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 5.6 mph NNE | -0.1 ft | 3 |
| Mon 1:00am | 1.0 ft | 0.8–1.2 ft | 1.5 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 4.8 mph NNE | -0.1 ft | 3 |
| Mon 2:00am | 1.0 ft | 0.8–1.2 ft | 1.5 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 4.4 mph NE | 0.3 ft | 3 |
| Mon 3:00am | 1.0 ft | 0.8–1.2 ft | 1.6 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 3.8 mph NNE | 1.2 ft | 3 |
| Mon 4:00am | 0.9 ft | 0.4–1.3 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 3.7 mph NNE | 2.2 ft | 3 |
| Mon 5:00am | 0.9 ft | 0.4–1.3 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 3.9 mph NNE | 3.1 ft | 3 |
| Mon 6:00am | 0.9 ft | 0.4–1.3 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 3.6 mph NNE | 3.9 ft | 3 |
| Mon 7:00am | 0.9 ft | 0.4–1.3 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 3.6 mph NNE | 4.3 ft | 3 |
| Mon 8:00am | 0.9 ft | 0.4–1.3 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 9.3 s | 3.0 mph NE | 4.3 ft | 3 |
| Mon 9:00am | 0.9 ft | 0.4–1.3 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 9.4 s | 0.8 mph SE | 3.9 ft | 3 |
| Mon 10:00am | 0.9 ft | 0.4–1.3 ft | 1.4 ft | WSW · 9.4 s | 3.1 mph SSW | 3.4 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 mythical Gaviota right: hundreds of yards of point surf on the handful of days it truly turns on.
Also known as El Cap · S-Tubes · Secret Tubes.
- Break type
- Point
- Wave direction
- Right-dominant
- Reported difficulty
- Intermediate+
- Bottom
- Cobblestone / boulders
- Reported swell preference
- Large W, often mid-period
- Reported tide preference
- Low–mid
The legendary line is the long right. Early local history also records S‑Tubes / Secret Tubes naming; the adjacent sandbar has its own entry.
Before paddling out: Crowd surge on rare good days, boulders, fast sections, cold water, state-park conditions.
El Capitan State Beach Documented lineup
Source references
- Mondo — Ventura & Santa Barbara spot index ↗
- Cal Coast Adventures — Santa Barbara surf report ↗
- Goleta Surfing — James Powell / S‑Tubes history ↗
Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.
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.