SurfThe Lane or the best-matched experienced break
Surf before 6 PM.
If you arrive later, take a beginner surf session before 6 PM.
Today’s route
Take a beginner surf sessionCowell’s Beach when conditions and instruction are appropriate
Every activity call
All current calls are visible. Nothing is hidden behind another tap.
SurfThe Lane or the best-matched experienced break
Take a beginner surf sessionCowell’s Beach when conditions and instruction are appropriate
FishSanta Cruz Wharf or a legal shore access
Boat or sailSanta Cruz Harbor, subject to vessel and harbor limits
Walk, run, or bike West CliffWest Cliff Drive
Visit the Wharf or HarborSanta Cruz Wharf or Harbor
PaddleboardCowell’s Beach or protected inside water
KayakSanta Cruz Harbor or Wharf-area protected water
Have a beach dayMain Beach, Cowell’s Beach or the best-matched accessible sand
Look for wildlifeSeymour, West Cliff or the Wharf where visibility and field sightings support it
Swim or snorkelCowell’s Beach or another protected, officially monitored entry
Explore the shorelineNatural Bridges or another legal, exposed shelf
Visit the BoardwalkSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Bring
- Full wetsuit
- Board and leash
- Warm layer for after the session
- Soft-top board
What could change this planAccess, wind and other late changesOpen
- Set size, crowd and local etiquette can override the model.
- A general surf call is not automatically suitable for beginners.
- Local wind, visibility, access or an official alert may change the call.
- Environmental indicators do not predict an animal sighting
- Use confirmed / probable / unclear labels
- A passing sample is not a guarantee of present safety
Why this recommendationAutomated forecast · not yet reviewed or field checkedOpen
What supports the plan
- 2.4 ft observed swell.
- 2.3 ft observed swell.
- 1.7 mph local/best-available wind.
- 2.4 ft observed swell.
- 2.3 ft observed swell.
Field source of truth
No eyes-on field observation is attached to this automated call.
Report stage
Automated report generated Aug 6, 4:01 AM PDT · awaiting review · Thursday, August 6, 2026
Forecast model
Surf has today’s strongest modeled window.
Surf looks best 7a–6p. For a dry-land backup, walking / running / cycling is workable 11a–6p.
Model guidance
Conditions behind the call
Exact immutable provider reads used in the automated call.
National Weather Service forecast
Areas Of FogValid Aug 6, 8:00 AM PDT · consumed yes
Run details
Run national_weather_service-2026-08-06t08-26-12-000z-ac9b43c8bd6f2d8e
Initialized Aug 6, 1:26 AM PDT
Coverage Aug 6, 3:00 AM PDT–Aug 12, 3:00 PM PDT
Representative location steamer_lane · 8 public-window points
Open-Meteo Marine
2.362 ft · 9.8 s · from 257°Valid Aug 6, 8:00 AM PDT · consumed yes
Primary swell: 1.509 ft · 8.85 s · from 290°
Secondary swell: 1.247 ft · 10.2 s · from 206°
Wind wave: 0 ft · 0 s · from 131°
Current: 0.54 kt toward 301°
Sea surface: 60.98°F
Run details
Run open_meteo_marine-2026-08-06t11-01-25-569z-66b28cb4e4cedb8f
Initialized not exposed by provider
Coverage Aug 6, 4:00 AM PDT–Aug 11, 3:00 AM PDT
Representative location steamer_lane · 8 public-window points
Open-Meteo Weather
No comparable wave valueValid Aug 6, 8:00 AM PDT · consumed yes
Run details
Run open_meteo_weather-2026-08-06t11-01-25-569z-bfa3046795173eef
Initialized not exposed by provider
Coverage Aug 6, 4:00 AM PDT–Aug 11, 3:00 AM PDT
Representative location steamer_lane · 8 public-window points
NWS Monterey Bay marine forecast · PZZ535
W wind around 5 kt, rising to 5 to 10 kt this afternoon. Seas around 2 ft or less. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 8 seconds. Patchy dense fog this morning.
Issued Aug 6, 2:09 AM PDT
Practical implication
A current consumed Open-Meteo Marine and WaveWatch pair is not available for a direct comparison.
No two-model disagreement can be calculated.
Available official guidance and observations retain their existing operational roles.
Do not infer model agreement from a single consumed wave provider.
Automated decisions · not yet reviewed
What to do today.
13 public activity decisions. Each bar covers 6 AM–6 PM: green is strongest, yellow is mixed, red means avoid, and elapsed hours fade.
Water
Surf, paddle, swim, fish, and boating decisions.
Beach & shore
Beach comfort, tidepools, and wildlife viewing.
Land & attractions
West Cliff, Boardwalk, Wharf, and harbor plans.