Califórnia & San Diego · Santa Cruz, CARecommended level: Intermediate-Advanced (Adjacent Cowell's Beach = Beginner)
Steamer Lane · Santa Cruz
Offshore giant kelp beds act as a natural wave damper, absorbing wind chop so the point walls stay buttery smooth.
WHERE TO SURF TODAY
La Jolla Scripps Pier clean morning session + Steamer Lane consistent
BEST WINDOW: {START}–{END}: 08:30–12:45 (0.10m–1.20m)
WAVE POWER & SIZE RIGHT NOW
3910 kJ
3.1m · Sets 4.0m
Paddle to Cowell's Sand Beach if Tide > 1.40m
LIVE STREAM — Steamer Lane · Santa CruzLIVE 24/7
CAMERA VIEW:
WATCH LIVE CAMERAHOW TO READ THIS CAMERA (LOCAL TIP)
Offshore giant kelp beds act as a natural wave damper, absorbing wind chop so the point walls stay buttery smooth.
LOCAL WEATHER & PARKING (25 SPOTS)
For a zero-stress exit on any tide, connect your final wave through Indicators all the way onto the soft sand at Cowell's Beach rather than timing the cliff stairs.
WAVE SIZE
3.1m (Sets 4.0m)
1st Period (s): 15s · WNW
POWER
3910 kJ
Ideal size: {min}m–{max}m (Max {limit}m): 1.2m–4.0m (Max 5.5m)
BEACH WIND
13 km/h (7 kt)
offshore · NNW
CURRENT TIDE
1.12m ▲
Paddle to Cowell's Sand Beach if Tide > 1.40m
ALL 3 ACTIVE SWELLS IN THE WATER (SWELL 1, 2 & 3)3 Simultaneous Swells
1ST SWELLWNW
3.1m · 15s
[Sets 4.0m] · 3910 kJ
2ND SWELLNW
1.7m · 13s
318° · 955 kJ
3RD SWELLWSW
1.1m · 11s
243° · 320 kJ
TODAY'S TIDE CHARTBEST WINDOW: {START}–{END}: 08:30–12:45
ENTER & EXIT SAFELY
WATER ACCESSFor a zero-stress exit on any tide, connect your final wave through Indicators all the way onto the soft sand at Cowell's Beach rather than timing the cliff stairs.
SIMPLE GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS & SURFERSHow waves, wind, and tides work at Steamer Lane · Santa Cruz
1. AVERAGE SIZE & BIGGER SETS
3.1m (Sets up to {height}m 4.0m)
Every 5 to 10 minutes, a group of larger waves ("sets") arrives reaching 4.0m. Always judge the spot by the set size before paddling out.
2. TIME BETWEEN WAVES (SECONDS)
Best from 13 seconds up
Under 8s means weak, messy wind waves. Above 13s means clean ocean groundswell with long walls and much more push.
BEST TIDE HEIGHT:
0.1m a 1.2m (Low to Mid Tide (high tide > 1.4m creates cliff backwash at The Slot))
Between 0.1m and 1.2m the wave peels best. Too high tide causes backwash off the rocks/wall.
ENTER & EXIT SAFELY
Safe tide: 0.1m – 1.2m
Paddle to Cowell's Sand Beach if Tide > 1.40m (0.10m–1.20m)
24-HOUR HOUR-BY-HOUR FORECAST
Hourly + 6-Day OverviewSteamer Lane · Santa Cruz — 1. Current Wave Size & Wind
1. Wave Size [Sets]: Sets up to {height}m
2. Period (s): 2. Best Tide Hours to Get In & Out
3. Wave Power (kJ): Wave Power & Size Right Now
4. Wind & Tide: 3. Beach Bottom, Access & Safety Tips
1ST SWELL (Mon 09 Nov)1ST SWELL (Primary Breaking) + 2ND SWELL & 3RD SWELL
1ST SWELLPrimary Breaking
3.0m [Sets 3.8m] · 15s
Power: 3739 kJ · WNW (300°)
WNW
2ND SWELLSecondary Train
1.6m · 17s
Power: 1206 kJ · W (278°)
W
3RD SWELLTertiary Train
0.6m · 12s
Power: 120 kJ · NNW (334°)
NNW
COASTAL MAP · 1ST SWELL & WINDSteamer Lane · Santa Cruz · Mon 09 Nov (14:00)GPS 36.9508°, -122.0262° · DIRECTION THE BEACH FACES: WSW (250°)
1ST SWELL (Primary Breaking)Aligned Pulse
3.0m [Sets 3.8m] · 15s WNW (300°) · 3739 kJ
2ND SWELL (Secondary Train)Aligned Pulse
1.6m · 17s W (278°) · 1206 kJ
3RD SWELL (Tertiary Train)Crossed Sea
0.6m · 12s NNW (334°) · 120 kJ
WIND & CURRENT TIDE (14:00)Cross-off
13 km/h (7 kt) N · Current Tide 0.02m
24-HOUR HOUR-BY-HOUR FORECASTMon 09 Nov — 00:00 - 23:00HI: 07:55 (2.2m) / 20:20 (2.1m) · LO: 01:50 (0.2m) / 14:05 (0.0m)
Select Day (24h):
| Hour (00h–23h) | 00:00 | 01:00 | 02:00 | 03:00 | 04:00 | 05:00 | 06:00 | 07:00 | 08:00 | 09:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 13:00 | 14:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 17:00 | 18:00 | 19:00 | 20:00 | 21:00 | 22:00 | 23:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating (0-10) | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
1st Swell [Sets] Primary (m · s · kJ) | 2.7m [3.5m] WNW 15s · 3029kJ | 2.7m [3.5m] WNW 15s · 3029kJ | 2.7m [3.5m] WNW 15s · 3029kJ | 2.7m [3.5m] WNW 15s · 3029kJ | 2.7m [3.5m] WNW 15s · 3029kJ | 2.7m [3.5m] WNW 15s · 3029kJ | 2.7m [3.5m] WNW 15s · 3029kJ | 2.7m [3.5m] WNW 15s · 3029kJ | 2.7m [3.5m] WNW 15s · 3029kJ | 2.7m [3.5m] WNW 15s · 3029kJ | 2.7m [3.5m] WNW 15s · 3029kJ | 3.0m [3.8m] WNW 15s · 3739kJ | 3.0m [3.8m] WNW 15s · 3739kJ | 3.0m [3.8m] WNW 15s · 3739kJ | 3.0m [3.8m] WNW 15s · 3739kJ | 3.0m [3.8m] WNW 15s · 3739kJ | 3.0m [3.8m] WNW 15s · 3739kJ | 2.8m [3.6m] WNW 15s · 3258kJ | 2.8m [3.6m] WNW 15s · 3258kJ | 2.8m [3.6m] WNW 15s · 3258kJ | 2.8m [3.6m] WNW 15s · 3258kJ | 2.8m [3.6m] WNW 15s · 3258kJ | 2.8m [3.6m] WNW 15s · 3258kJ | 2.8m [3.6m] WNW 15s · 3258kJ |
2nd Swell Swell 2 | 1.4m · 13s W 706kJ · 273° | 1.4m · 13s W 706kJ · 273° | 1.4m · 13s W 706kJ · 273° | 1.4m · 13s W 706kJ · 273° | 1.4m · 13s W 706kJ · 273° | 1.4m · 13s W 706kJ · 273° | 1.4m · 13s W 706kJ · 273° | 1.4m · 13s W 706kJ · 273° | 1.4m · 13s W 706kJ · 273° | 1.4m · 13s W 706kJ · 273° | 1.4m · 13s W 706kJ · 273° | 1.6m · 17s W 1206kJ · 278° | 1.6m · 17s W 1206kJ · 278° | 1.6m · 17s W 1206kJ · 278° | 1.6m · 17s W 1206kJ · 278° | 1.6m · 17s W 1206kJ · 278° | 1.6m · 17s W 1206kJ · 278° | 1.5m · 13s W 810kJ · 270° | 1.5m · 13s W 810kJ · 270° | 1.5m · 13s W 810kJ · 270° | 1.5m · 13s W 810kJ · 270° | 1.5m · 13s W 810kJ · 270° | 1.5m · 13s W 810kJ · 270° | 1.5m · 13s W 810kJ · 270° |
3rd Swell Swell 3 | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 329° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 329° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 329° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 329° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 329° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 329° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 329° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 329° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 329° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 329° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 329° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 334° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 334° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 334° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 334° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 334° | 0.6m · 12s NNW 120kJ · 334° | 0.6m · 12s NW 120kJ · 326° | 0.6m · 12s NW 120kJ · 326° | 0.6m · 12s NW 120kJ · 326° | 0.6m · 12s NW 120kJ · 326° | 0.6m · 12s NW 120kJ · 326° | 0.6m · 12s NW 120kJ · 326° | 0.6m · 12s NW 120kJ · 326° |
| Wind (Hourly) | NNW11 km/hCross | NNW11 km/hCross | NNW11 km/hCross | NNW11 km/hCross | NNW11 km/hCross | NNW11 km/hCross | NNW11 km/hCross | NNW11 km/hCross | NNW11 km/hCross | NNW11 km/hCross | NNW11 km/hCross | N13 km/hCross-off | N13 km/hCross-off | N13 km/hCross-off | N13 km/hCross-off | N13 km/hCross-off | N13 km/hCross-off | NNE15 km/hCross-off | NNE15 km/hCross-off | NNE15 km/hCross-off | NNE15 km/hCross-off | NNE15 km/hCross-off | NNE15 km/hCross-off | NNE15 km/hCross-off |
| Tide & Entry | 0.57m ▼ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 0.25m ▼ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 0.16m ▲ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 0.34m ▲ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 0.74m ▲ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 1.24m ▲ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 1.72m ▲ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 2.06m ▲ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 2.15m ▲ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 1.99m ▼ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 1.59m ▼ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 1.07m ▼ Tide OK ({tide}m) | 0.55m ▼ Tide OK ({tide}m) | 0.17m ▼ Tide OK ({tide}m) | 0.02m ▲ Tide OK ({tide}m) | 0.14m ▲ Tide OK ({tide}m) | 0.49m ▲ Tide OK ({tide}m) | 1.00m ▲ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 1.52m ▲ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 1.94m ▲ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 2.14m ▲ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 2.08m ▼ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 1.78m ▼ Tide Caution ({tide}m) | 1.33m ▼ Tide Caution ({tide}m) |
18 Compared Slots18 Compared Slots
| Day // Time | Mon 09 Nov | Tue 10 Nov | Wed 11 Nov | Thu 12 Nov | Fri 13 Nov | Sat 14 Nov | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot | AM 08:00 | PM 14:00 | NIGHT 20:00 | AM 08:00 | PM 14:00 | NIGHT 20:00 | AM 08:00 | PM 14:00 | NIGHT 20:00 | AM 08:00 | PM 14:00 | NIGHT 20:00 | AM 08:00 | PM 14:00 | NIGHT 20:00 | AM 08:00 | PM 14:00 | NIGHT 20:00 |
| Rating (0-10) | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
1st Swell [Sets] Primary Breaking | 2.7m [3.5m] | 3.0m [3.8m] | 2.8m [3.6m] | 2.5m [3.2m] | 2.7m [3.5m] | 2.5m [3.2m] | 2.1m [2.7m] | 2.3m [2.9m] | 2.2m [2.8m] | 1.9m [2.4m] | 2.1m [2.7m] | 1.9m [2.4m] | 2.0m [2.6m] | 2.2m [2.8m] | 2.0m [2.6m] | 2.3m [2.9m] | 2.5m [3.2m] | 2.3m [2.9m] |
| 1st Swell Dir | WNW295° | WNW300° | WNW292° | WNW295° | WNW300° | WNW292° | WNW295° | WNW300° | WNW292° | WNW295° | WNW300° | WNW292° | WNW295° | WNW300° | WNW292° | WNW295° | WNW300° | WNW292° |
| 1st Period (s) | 15s | 15s | 15s | 14s | 15s | 14s | 14s | 15s | 14s | 14s | 15s | 15s | 15s | 15s | 15s | 15s | 16s | 15s |
| 1st Power (kJ) | 3029 kJ | 3739 kJ | 3258 kJ | 2424 kJ | 3029 kJ | 2424 kJ | 1710 kJ | 2198 kJ | 1877 kJ | 1400 kJ | 1832 kJ | 1500 kJ | 1662 kJ | 2011 kJ | 1662 kJ | 2198 kJ | 2770 kJ | 2198 kJ |
2nd Swell Swell 2 (Size · s · kJ) | 1.4m · 13sW706 kJ · 273° | 1.6m · 17sW1206 kJ · 278° | 1.5m · 13sW810 kJ · 270° | 1.3m · 12sW562 kJ · 273° | 1.4m · 17sW923 kJ · 278° | 1.3m · 12sW562 kJ · 270° | 1.1m · 12sW402 kJ · 273° | 1.2m · 17sW678 kJ · 278° | 1.1m · 12sW402 kJ · 270° | 1.0m · 12sW332 kJ · 273° | 1.1m · 17sW570 kJ · 278° | 1.0m · 13sW360 kJ · 270° | 1.0m · 13sW360 kJ · 273° | 1.1m · 17sW570 kJ · 278° | 1.0m · 13sW360 kJ · 270° | 1.2m · 13sW519 kJ · 273° | 1.3m · 18sW843 kJ · 278° | 1.2m · 13sW519 kJ · 270° |
3rd Swell Swell 3 (Size · s · kJ) | 0.6m · 12sNNW120 kJ · 329° | 0.6m · 12sNNW120 kJ · 334° | 0.6m · 12sNW120 kJ · 326° | 0.5m · 11sNNW76 kJ · 329° | 0.6m · 12sNNW120 kJ · 334° | 0.5m · 11sNW76 kJ · 326° | 0.5m · 11sNNW76 kJ · 329° | 0.5m · 12sNNW83 kJ · 334° | 0.5m · 11sNW76 kJ · 326° | 0.4m · 11sNNW49 kJ · 329° | 0.5m · 12sNNW83 kJ · 334° | 0.4m · 12sNW53 kJ · 326° | 0.5m · 12sNNW83 kJ · 329° | 0.5m · 12sNNW83 kJ · 334° | 0.5m · 12sNW83 kJ · 326° | 0.5m · 12sNNW83 kJ · 329° | 0.5m · 13sNNW90 kJ · 334° | 0.5m · 12sNW83 kJ · 326° |
| Wave Shape | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse | Aligned Pulse |
| Wind | NNW11 km/h6 kt | N13 km/h7 kt | NNE15 km/h8 kt | NNW13 km/h7 kt | N15 km/h8 kt | NNE17 km/h9 kt | NNW13 km/h7 kt | N15 km/h8 kt | NNE15 km/h8 kt | NNW11 km/h6 kt | N13 km/h7 kt | NNE13 km/h7 kt | NNW9 km/h5 kt | N11 km/h6 kt | NNE13 km/h7 kt | NNW11 km/h6 kt | N13 km/h7 kt | NNE13 km/h7 kt |
| Wind Effect | Cross | Cross-off | Cross-off | Cross | Cross-off | Cross-off | Cross | Cross-off | Cross-off | Cross | Cross-off | Cross-off | Cross | Cross-off | Cross-off | Cross | Cross-off | Cross-off |
| Entry / Exit | BackwashTide Caution ({tide}m) | In PocketTide OK ({tide}m) | BackwashTide Caution ({tide}m) | BackwashTide Caution ({tide}m) | In PocketTide OK ({tide}m) | BackwashTide Caution ({tide}m) | BackwashTide Caution ({tide}m) | In PocketTide OK ({tide}m) | BackwashTide Caution ({tide}m) | BackwashTide Caution ({tide}m) | In PocketTide OK ({tide}m) | BackwashTide Caution ({tide}m) | BackwashTide Caution ({tide}m) | In PocketTide OK ({tide}m) | In PocketTide OK ({tide}m) | In PocketTide OK ({tide}m) | In PocketTide OK ({tide}m) | In PocketTide OK ({tide}m) |
| High / Low Tide | HI: 07:55 (2.2m)HI: 20:20 (2.1m) LO: 01:50 (0.2m)LO: 14:05 (0.0m) | HI: 08:25 (2.1m)HI: 20:50 (2.1m) LO: 02:20 (0.2m)LO: 14:35 (0.1m) | HI: 08:50 (2.0m)HI: 21:15 (2.0m) LO: 02:50 (0.3m)LO: 15:00 (0.2m) | HI: 09:20 (1.9m)HI: 21:45 (1.9m) LO: 03:20 (0.4m)LO: 15:30 (0.3m) | HI: 09:45 (1.8m)HI: 22:15 (1.8m) LO: 03:50 (0.5m)LO: 15:55 (0.4m) | HI: 10:15 (1.6m)HI: 22:45 (1.7m) LO: 04:20 (0.6m)LO: 16:25 (0.6m) | ||||||||||||
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