Chadbourne Gulch (Westport Coast)

Chadbourne Gulch (also known locally as Blues Beach) is an exposed beach-break on the Mendocino coast with a remote, rugged feel and cold, consistent Pacific water. Surf is described as peaky with punchy sets, producing both lefts and rights over a mixed sand/rock beach with submerged rocks near the northern and southern ends. Performance is reported as best at mid tide, with the spot working with west to west-northwest swells. Offshore east winds are the ideal wind setup: they help keep the face clean and groomed. When wind turns onshore (west/northwest), conditions are described as choppy, and one provider notes the break can close out on larger swells (above roughly 3 meters). Safety is a major theme here. Sources consistently flag strong rip currents, submerged rocks, and shark presence. The spot also has limited cell service, so it’s important to plan ahead and observe the water from the cliffs before going down to the beach. Localism is mentioned as moderate/mild—respect the community and keep standard surfing etiquette. Seasonally, the spot is most often described as strongest in summer through autumn, with best surf reliability in that window and colder conditions outside it. Expect year-round cold-water surfing (about 10–15°C, with spring/summer ranges reported as higher but still chilly), and plan for boots/hood/gloves setups depending on conditions.