CALIFORNIA / Dana PointSPOT / 524

Gravels.

Small stones. Serious attention.

Left & right33.476° N / 117.723° W

Color satellite and aerial imagery centered on the approximate Gravels catalogue location — Satellite / aerial view · centred on the approximate catalogue pin. Not live imagery.
Powered by Esri · Esri, Vantor, Earthstar Geographics, and the GIS User Community.

Approximate catalogue pin · check the actual shoreline. © OpenStreetMap contributors

Open Gravels on the map ↗Best surf near me

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 face2.7 ftForecast for Wed Nov 11, 6:00pm Pacific

Coastal wind5.0 mphNNW from · older cache

NOAA tide reference0.3 ftMLLW · Los Angeles

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

Primary swell

2.4ft Hs

W from · 277° · 9.7 s

2.4 feet

Wind sea

0.1ft Hs

WNW from · 299° · 1.2 s

0.1 feet

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, 4:04pm · older cache. This is regional modeled wind, not a beach measurement.

Source retrievals: GFS Nov 11, 6:15pm · ECMWF Nov 11, 6:15pm · MFWAM Nov 11, 6:15pm. Retrieval time is not the model issue time. This page combines all available cached model families; map model selections are separate.

Tide predictions: Los Angeles, 58 km reference; retrieved Wed Nov 11, 2:00pm. Station predictions can differ locally.

Seven-day overview

06:00–19:00 forecast hours; daily values are not a full-day maximum.
Pacific day	Estimated surf face	Mean wind	Hours available
Wed Nov 11	2.6 ft	4.6 mph	14/14
Thu Nov 12	2.5 ft	6.2 mph	14/14
Fri Nov 13	3.3 ft	7.6 mph	14/14
Sat Nov 14	4.0 ft	4.3 mph	14/14
Sun Nov 15	3.3 ft	4.3 mph	14/14
Mon Nov 16	3.3 ft	4.5 mph	14/14
Tue Nov 17	2.9 ft	5.1 mph	14/14

Hourly details · next 72 hours

Pacific time	Estimated surf face	Model range	Set proxy	Swell from	Wind	Tide MLLW	Models
Wed 6:00pm	2.7 ft	2.7–2.7 ft	4.0 ft	WSW · 13.1 s	5.0 mph NNW	0.3 ft	2
Wed 7:00pm	2.7 ft	2.7–2.7 ft	4.1 ft	W · 12.5 s	5.1 mph NNW	1.0 ft	2
Wed 8:00pm	2.7 ft	2.7–2.7 ft	4.1 ft	W · 12.5 s	3.3 mph N	1.8 ft	2
Wed 9:00pm	2.7 ft	2.7–2.7 ft	4.1 ft	WSW · 13.0 s	1.1 mph NNE	2.6 ft	2
Wed 10:00pm	2.7 ft	2.7–2.7 ft	4.1 ft	WSW · 12.9 s	3.4 mph ENE	3.2 ft	2
Wed 11:00pm	2.7 ft	2.7–2.7 ft	4.1 ft	WSW · 12.9 s	3.7 mph ENE	3.4 ft	2
Thu 12:00am	2.7 ft	2.7–2.7 ft	4.0 ft	WSW · 12.9 s	4.1 mph ENE	3.4 ft	2
Thu 1:00am	2.7 ft	2.6–2.7 ft	4.0 ft	SW · 12.9 s	3.8 mph NE	3.2 ft	2
Thu 2:00am	2.6 ft	2.6–2.7 ft	4.0 ft	SW · 13.0 s	3.8 mph NNE	3.0 ft	2
Thu 3:00am	2.6 ft	2.5–2.6 ft	3.8 ft	SW · 13.0 s	4.9 mph NNE	2.8 ft	2
Thu 4:00am	2.5 ft	2.4–2.6 ft	3.8 ft	SW · 13.0 s	5.9 mph NNE	2.9 ft	2
Thu 5:00am	2.5 ft	2.4–2.6 ft	3.8 ft	SW · 13.0 s	5.5 mph NNE	3.3 ft	2
Thu 6:00am	2.5 ft	2.3–2.6 ft	3.7 ft	SW · 13.1 s	5.5 mph NNE	3.9 ft	2
Thu 7:00am	2.5 ft	2.3–2.6 ft	3.7 ft	SW · 13.1 s	5.2 mph NNE	4.6 ft	2
Thu 8:00am	2.4 ft	2.3–2.6 ft	3.7 ft	SW · 13.1 s	4.9 mph NE	5.2 ft	2
Thu 9:00am	2.4 ft	2.3–2.6 ft	3.6 ft	SW · 13.1 s	4.2 mph NE	5.6 ft	2
Thu 10:00am	2.4 ft	2.3–2.5 ft	3.6 ft	SW · 13.2 s	3.4 mph S	5.7 ft	2
Thu 11:00am	2.4 ft	2.2–2.6 ft	3.6 ft	SW · 13.2 s	6.5 mph SSW	5.3 ft	2
Thu 12:00pm	2.4 ft	2.2–2.6 ft	3.6 ft	SW · 13.3 s	7.0 mph SW	4.5 ft	2
Thu 1:00pm	2.4 ft	2.2–2.6 ft	3.6 ft	SW · 13.3 s	7.9 mph SW	3.5 ft	2
Thu 2:00pm	2.5 ft	2.3–2.6 ft	3.7 ft	SW · 13.3 s	7.4 mph SW	2.3 ft	2
Thu 3:00pm	2.5 ft	2.3–2.6 ft	3.7 ft	SW · 13.3 s	8.1 mph SW	1.3 ft	2
Thu 4:00pm	2.5 ft	2.3–2.7 ft	3.8 ft	SW · 13.3 s	6.4 mph SW	0.5 ft	2
Thu 5:00pm	2.5 ft	2.3–2.7 ft	3.8 ft	SW · 13.3 s	5.0 mph SSW	0.1 ft	2
Thu 6:00pm	2.6 ft	2.4–2.8 ft	3.9 ft	SW · 13.3 s	7.2 mph S	0.2 ft	2
Thu 7:00pm	2.6 ft	2.4–2.8 ft	3.9 ft	SW · 13.3 s	8.7 mph SSE	0.6 ft	2
Thu 8:00pm	2.6 ft	2.4–2.8 ft	3.9 ft	SW · 13.4 s	8.8 mph S	1.3 ft	2
Thu 9:00pm	2.7 ft	2.5–2.9 ft	4.0 ft	SW · 13.5 s	8.6 mph S	2.0 ft	2
Thu 10:00pm	2.7 ft	2.5–2.9 ft	4.0 ft	SW · 13.6 s	7.7 mph S	2.6 ft	2
Thu 11:00pm	2.7 ft	2.5–3.0 ft	4.1 ft	SW · 13.7 s	7.5 mph SSE	3.1 ft	2
Fri 12:00am	2.8 ft	2.6–3.0 ft	4.2 ft	SW · 13.8 s	7.7 mph SE	3.3 ft	2
Fri 1:00am	2.9 ft	2.6–3.1 ft	4.3 ft	WSW · 13.9 s	8.5 mph E	3.3 ft	2
Fri 2:00am	2.9 ft	2.7–3.1 ft	4.4 ft	WSW · 14.0 s	11.0 mph ESE	3.2 ft	2
Fri 3:00am	3.0 ft	2.8–3.1 ft	4.5 ft	WSW · 14.0 s	14.4 mph SE	3.1 ft	2
Fri 4:00am	3.0 ft	2.9–3.1 ft	4.5 ft	WSW · 14.1 s	13.8 mph ESE	3.1 ft	2
Fri 5:00am	3.1 ft	3.0–3.2 ft	4.6 ft	WSW · 14.1 s	12.9 mph SE	3.3 ft	2
Fri 6:00am	3.1 ft	3.1–3.2 ft	4.7 ft	WSW · 14.0 s	12.2 mph S	3.7 ft	2
Fri 7:00am	3.2 ft	3.2–3.2 ft	4.8 ft	WSW · 14.0 s	7.5 mph S	4.2 ft	2
Fri 8:00am	3.2 ft	3.2–3.2 ft	4.9 ft	WSW · 13.9 s	6.6 mph SSE	4.7 ft	2
Fri 9:00am	3.2 ft	3.2–3.3 ft	4.9 ft	W · 13.4 s	7.6 mph SSE	5.2 ft	2
Fri 10:00am	3.3 ft	3.2–3.3 ft	4.9 ft	W · 13.4 s	8.6 mph SE	5.4 ft	2
Fri 11:00am	3.3 ft	3.2–3.3 ft	4.9 ft	W · 13.3 s	7.0 mph S	5.2 ft	2
Fri 12:00pm	3.3 ft	3.2–3.3 ft	4.9 ft	W · 13.2 s	8.6 mph S	4.8 ft	2
Fri 1:00pm	3.3 ft	3.2–3.3 ft	4.9 ft	W · 13.1 s	10.5 mph SSW	4.0 ft	2
Fri 2:00pm	3.3 ft	3.2–3.3 ft	4.9 ft	W · 12.9 s	8.1 mph SW	3.1 ft	2
Fri 3:00pm	3.3 ft	3.2–3.3 ft	4.9 ft	W · 12.6 s	8.2 mph SW	2.1 ft	2
Fri 4:00pm	3.3 ft	3.2–3.3 ft	4.9 ft	W · 12.3 s	6.5 mph SW	1.2 ft	2
Fri 5:00pm	3.3 ft	3.2–3.3 ft	4.9 ft	W · 11.9 s	5.5 mph SSW	0.6 ft	2
Fri 6:00pm	3.3 ft	3.2–3.3 ft	4.9 ft	W · 11.5 s	5.2 mph SW	0.4 ft	2
Fri 7:00pm	3.3 ft	3.2–3.4 ft	5.0 ft	W · 11.3 s	4.2 mph SW	0.5 ft	2
Fri 8:00pm	3.3 ft	3.3–3.4 ft	5.0 ft	W · 11.2 s	4.0 mph WSW	0.9 ft	2
Fri 9:00pm	3.4 ft	3.4–3.4 ft	5.0 ft	W · 11.3 s	3.6 mph WSW	1.4 ft	2
Fri 10:00pm	3.4 ft	3.4–3.4 ft	5.1 ft	WSW · 10.9 s	4.8 mph WSW	2.1 ft	2
Fri 11:00pm	3.4 ft	3.4–3.5 ft	5.2 ft	WSW · 10.3 s	5.6 mph W	2.6 ft	2
Sat 12:00am	3.5 ft	3.4–3.6 ft	5.2 ft	WSW · 9.6 s	5.1 mph W	3.0 ft	2
Sat 1:00am	3.5 ft	3.4–3.7 ft	5.3 ft	WSW · 9.0 s	4.9 mph W	3.2 ft	2
Sat 2:00am	3.6 ft	3.5–3.6 ft	5.3 ft	WSW · 8.8 s	6.5 mph W	3.3 ft	2
Sat 3:00am	3.7 ft	3.6–3.7 ft	5.5 ft	WSW · 8.8 s	5.9 mph W	3.3 ft	2
Sat 4:00am	3.7 ft	3.7–3.7 ft	5.6 ft	WSW · 8.9 s	5.9 mph W	3.3 ft	2
Sat 5:00am	3.7 ft	3.6–3.8 ft	5.6 ft	W · 10.2 s	5.5 mph WSW	3.3 ft	2
Sat 6:00am	3.7 ft	3.5–3.9 ft	5.6 ft	W · 10.5 s	3.0 mph SW	3.5 ft	2
Sat 7:00am	3.7 ft	3.4–4.0 ft	5.6 ft	W · 10.8 s	4.3 mph S	3.9 ft	2
Sat 8:00am	3.7 ft	3.3–4.1 ft	5.6 ft	W · 11.1 s	4.6 mph SSW	4.3 ft	2
Sat 9:00am	3.8 ft	3.4–4.2 ft	5.7 ft	W · 11.5 s	4.5 mph S	4.6 ft	2
Sat 10:00am	3.9 ft	3.6–4.3 ft	5.9 ft	W · 11.9 s	5.0 mph SSE	4.9 ft	2
Sat 11:00am	4.0 ft	3.7–4.3 ft	6.0 ft	W · 12.3 s	5.1 mph SE	5.0 ft	2
Sat 12:00pm	4.1 ft	3.8–4.4 ft	6.1 ft	W · 12.6 s	4.3 mph SSE	4.8 ft	2
Sat 1:00pm	4.2 ft	3.8–4.5 ft	6.3 ft	W · 12.9 s	3.9 mph S	4.4 ft	2
Sat 2:00pm	4.2 ft	3.8–4.5 ft	6.3 ft	W · 13.1 s	4.4 mph SW	3.7 ft	2
Sat 3:00pm	4.2 ft	3.8–4.6 ft	6.3 ft	W · 13.3 s	4.8 mph SW	2.9 ft	2
Sat 4:00pm	4.2 ft	3.8–4.6 ft	6.3 ft	W · 13.4 s	5.4 mph SW	2.0 ft	2
Sat 5:00pm	4.2 ft	3.8–4.6 ft	6.3 ft	W · 13.5 s	4.6 mph SW	1.3 ft	2
Sat 6:00pm	4.2 ft	3.8–4.6 ft	6.3 ft	W · 13.6 s	3.6 mph WSW	0.8 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

Gravels gets its own page within the Salt Creek area: a distinct section to inspect, not a reason to assume every peak along the beach is behaving alike.

Also known as The Gravels.

Break type: Reef
Wave direction: Left & right
Reported difficulty: Advanced
Bottom: Rock / reef
Reported swell preference: SSW–W
Reported tide preference: Low–mid

Mapped separately because the reef behaves differently from the main beach and draws a more targeted crowd on proper south swell. Source note: Imported 6.8 catalogue; place and confirm the takeoff.

Before paddling out: Shallow reef, crowding, currents and sketchy low-tide entries.

Public shoreline or trail access; tide and closures matter Owner-placed takeoff; not a survey

Source references

Provenance is not proof that every inherited claim or current access condition has been rechecked.

THE FIELD GUIDE / Gravels

Read this stretch of coast.

Find the section before choosing the wave

Use the satellite view to orient yourself along Salt Creek, then locate the actual takeoff from the beach. The pin is an approximate catalogue reference. Watch where sets break and where riders finish; a familiar name on a map cannot show today’s sand, exposed obstacles or crowd position.

Read the swell behind the number

The retained catalogue lists SSW–W swell and an advanced difficulty rating. Compare the incoming direction and period of each available component, especially when a south swell overlaps shorter-period energy. If a model returns an unconfirmed all-zero feed, inspect the named alternative source. A missing partition is not evidence that Gravels is flat.

Give the inside a full inspection

The catalogue flags shallow obstacles, currents and difficult low-tide entries. Look at the exit as carefully as the takeoff. Note whether the inside leaves room to finish a ride, whether sets sweep surfers along the beach, and whether a route clear during a lull remains clear through the next set. Check current beach notices with OC Parks.

Further reading: OC Parks · Salt Creek Beach

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

Salt Creek ↗

The Surfers View · about 0.1 km from the catalogue pin · video-page

Publicly listed Salt Creek beach and surf camera.

Monarch Bay Beach Club ↗

HDOnTap / Monarch Bay Beach Club · about 1.3 km from the catalogue pin · video-page

Resort-hosted Monarch Bay beach and ocean view.

Dana Point Harbor overlook ↗

HDOnTap / Laguna Cliffs · about 3.6 km from the catalogue pin · video-page

Harbor and ocean panorama from Laguna Cliffs.

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

3.15–4.07 ft

Significant 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.