quiet
- Swell period
- 11s
- Wind
- NW 13 km/h
- Score
- 12
- Confidence
- 82%
All spots / California
November — March
Mavericks
Cold-water peaks, shifting ledges and immense Pacific power just offshore from Half Moon Bay.
quiet
Valid 2026-09-04
12Wave score
Forecast confidence82%
At a glance
The latest outlook for Mavericks
No major big-wave window is confirmed yet. We are monitoring the next long-period pulse.
Wave face0.9–1.5 m
Swell period11s
WindNW 13 km/h
Confidence82%
Location
Where is Mavericks?
Explore the surrounding coastline and open the marker for location details.
- Mavericks: 37.495, -122.501
See the break
Explore the area
What to do in Mavericks
Use the illustrated map to discover beaches, viewpoints and local landmarks.
Mavericks
A legendary big-wave surf break located offshore from Pillar Point on California’s rugged northern coast.
Big Wave Break
Powerful swells rise abruptly over the submerged reef, creating exceptionally large and dangerous waves.
Mavericks Reef
The underwater rock formation that shapes incoming ocean energy into Mavericks’ famous breaking waves.
Northwest Swell
Long-period waves travel across the Pacific before approaching Mavericks from the northwest.
Pillar Point
The prominent coastal headland providing the clearest land reference for locating the offshore break.
Pillar Point Harbor
A protected harbour sheltered behind breakwaters on the calmer side of the headland.
Princeton-by-the-Sea
A small working harbour community beside Pillar Point, known for fishing and maritime activity.
Half Moon Bay
The nearby coastal city most commonly associated with Mavericks and its big-wave surfing history.
Highway 1
California’s scenic coastal highway connecting Half Moon Bay with the communities around Pillar Point.
Pacific Ocean
The open ocean supplying the powerful winter swells that make Mavericks possible.
Wave face
Swell history & forecast
Recent results and the next 16 days, shown against stacked 1.8 m people for scale.
Next 16 days
- Swell period
- 10s
- Wind
- NW 22 km/h
- Score
- 10
- Confidence
- 80%
- Swell period
- 11s
- Wind
- NW 14 km/h
- Score
- 12
- Confidence
- 75%
- Swell period
- 14s
- Wind
- NW 32 km/h
- Score
- 12
- Confidence
- 65%
- Swell period
- 10s
- Wind
- NW 16 km/h
- Score
- 10
- Confidence
- 55%
- Swell period
- 11s
- Wind
- NW 18.5 km/h
- Score
- 18
- Confidence
- 50%
- Swell period
- 11s
- Wind
- NW 16 km/h
- Score
- 12
- Confidence
- 40%
- Swell period
- 12s
- Wind
- NW 14 km/h
- Score
- 12
- Confidence
- 35%
- Swell period
- 11s
- Wind
- NW 16 km/h
- Score
- 15
- Confidence
- 25%
- Swell period
- 11s
- Wind
- NW 16 km/h
- Score
- 10
- Confidence
- 30%
- Swell period
- 11s
- Wind
- NW 16 km/h
- Score
- 15
- Confidence
- 25%
- Swell period
- 10s
- Wind
- NW 18 km/h
- Score
- 15
- Confidence
- 25%
- Swell period
- 11s
- Wind
- NW 18 km/h
- Score
- 15
- Confidence
- 20%
- Swell period
- 11s
- Wind
- NW 18 km/h
- Score
- 12
- Confidence
- 20%
- Swell period
- 10s
- Wind
- NW 18 km/h
- Score
- 18
- Confidence
- 20%
- Swell period
- 10s
- Wind
- NW 16 km/h
- Score
- 10
- Confidence
- 15%
When to visit
Month-by-month season planner
Typical big-wave season: November — March. Forecasts still decide the worthwhile days.
- Jan2.9 mAverage swellTypical 1.4–4.8 mBig-wave season
- Feb2.8 mAverage swellTypical 1.4–4.6 mBig-wave season
- Mar2.5 mAverage swellTypical 1.2–4.1 mBig-wave season
- Apr2.2 mAverage swellTypical 1.1–3.6 mShoulder month
- May1.9 mAverage swellTypical 0.9–3.1 mUsually quieter
- Jun1.8 mAverage swellTypical 0.9–2.9 mUsually quieter
- Jul1.7 mAverage swellTypical 0.8–2.8 mUsually quieter
- Aug1.8 mAverage swellTypical 0.9–2.9 mUsually quieter
- Sep2.0 mAverage swellTypical 1.0–3.3 mUsually quieter
- Oct2.3 mAverage swellTypical 1.1–3.8 mShoulder month
- Nov2.6 mAverage swellTypical 1.3–4.3 mBig-wave season
- Dec2.9 mAverage swellTypical 1.4–4.8 mBig-wave season
Offshore significant wave height (Hs). Typical range is P10–P90, not breaking wave-face height.
- Confidence
- High
- Estimated uncertainty
- ±0.2 m
Plan the journey
How to reach Mavericks
Travel times are estimates and can increase with traffic, weather, border formalities or major swell crowds.
Big-wave access warning
Final lineup access requires professional big-wave experience, local knowledge and a coordinated safety team when conditions are large.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
SFO is the closest major airport to Pillar Point and Half Moon Bay.
SFO → Princeton-by-the-Sea or Half Moon Bay
Drive south and west toward Pacifica, El Granada and Pillar Point Harbour. Public transport requires transfers and can approach two hours.
Travel detailsPrinceton-by-the-Sea or Half Moon Bay
Princeton places you beside the harbour. Central Half Moon Bay offers more dining and accommodation but adds around 10–15 minutes.
Accommodation → Pillar Point Harbour
Meet the boat or safety crew at the harbour. Independent paddlers normally continue to the beach near the northern jetty.
Northern jetty → Mavericks outer reef
The traditional route is an approximately half-mile paddle through cold water, currents and a potentially difficult harbour entrance.
Travel detailsPillar Point Harbour → Mavericks
Licensed charter or support boats can reach the break quickly, but must remain clear of the impact zone and agree a recovery plan before entry.
Guides
Plan the whole visit
Forecast, viewing, travel and safety guidance in one place.
When to visit
Plan flexibly
The established big-wave season at Mavericks is November — March. The best days are uncommon and usually become clear only a few days ahead.
Read guide →Where to watchGive the ocean room
View Mavericks from established public viewpoints and obey closures, barriers and local authorities.
Read guide →Where to stayTravel with flexibility
Stay within easy reach of Mavericks, but avoid booking solely around a long-range forecast.
Read guide →SafetyNon-negotiable basics
Big-wave coastlines are hazardous for spectators and surfers. Conditions at Mavericks can change quickly.
Read guide →RecordsVerified history first
Mavericks has earned its place in big-wave history through remarkable conditions, surfers and local communities.
Read guide →Common questions
Mavericks FAQs
Practical answers for planning a safe, well-informed visit.
When is Mavericks big-wave season?+
Mavericks is most active from November through March, when long-period North Pacific swells reach the California coast. Wind and swell direction strongly affect wave quality.
Where is Mavericks located?+
Mavericks breaks on an outer reef off Pillar Point near Princeton-by-the-Sea and Half Moon Bay, California. Pillar Point Harbour is the main access base.
How do surfers get to Mavericks?+
The traditional route is an approximately half-mile paddle from near the northern harbour jetty. Professional teams may instead use a support boat with a clear entry and recovery plan.
Can inexperienced surfers attempt Mavericks?+
No. Mavericks combines very large waves, cold water, strong currents, rocks and a remote outer-reef lineup. Large days require professional experience and coordinated safety support.