Ghost Tree (Del Monte Forest)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Ghost Tree is a legendary, exposed big-wave reef break off Pescadero Point, recognized for producing extremely powerful right-hand waves when the largest winter swells arrive. The break is focused and described as world-class, with barreling/hollow heavy-wall behavior, and it holds extreme size (reported up to about 60 ft). It works best with west swell energy and offshore winds from the east-northeast (east through northeast). Wind conditions are described as a limiting factor, with offshore alignment needed; reliability is noted as low and the typical wind range is reported around 5–15 knots. The spot is highly hazardous due to the combination of huge energy, jagged/reef rock bottom, strong currents, cold water, and shark presence. Sources emphasize that it is not for paddling surfers and is restricted to top tow-in big-wave experts only; attempting it without elite-level capability and a dedicated safety setup is strongly discouraged. Operationally, access is described as difficult, typically requiring a boat/jet-ski approach from a safer cove/launch due to the treacherous rocky shoreline. Lifeguards are listed as none, and rescue availability is listed as no for the spot, so risk planning and flotation/safety gear are critical.
- Exposed reef break producing heavy, fast right-hand big waves in winter
- Offshore east-northeast winds are key for best conditions
- Elite tow-in-only; extreme danger from rocks/sharks
- World-class wave quality on the biggest winter swells.
- Clean, focused right-hand reef break when conditions align (west swells with offshore east-northeast winds).
- Extremely dangerous: lethal rocks, very powerful waves, and sharks reported.
- Not safe for paddling; tow-in big-wave experts only.
- No lifeguards and rescue is listed as unavailable.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NE
- Offshore directions
- E, NE
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Sources describe offshore winds from the east-northeast (east to east-northeast).
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, December
- Shadow Zones
- cliffs
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Swell
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Huge — Double-XXL / huge big-wave reef break on massive winter swells.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky-entry; access may require steep rocky descent or boat.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Expert-only launch/difficulty noted by multiple sources.
Through the year
Usually empty unless a massive swell arrives, then a small group of elite professionals will be present.
December to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Legendary, exposed big-wave reef break off Pescadero Point that focuses right-hand waves (right). It only truly comes alive on the most massive winter swells and is known for extreme power and lethal proximity to jagged rocks.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W
- Swell Height
- 3.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open coastal exposure; reefs/rocky formations focus the break while leaving the spot exposed to swell and wind.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore east-northeast winds; generally needs-offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds extreme/extra-large swell size up to about 60 ft.
- Wave Quality
- World class
- Wave Power
- Very powerful
- Wave Shape
- Barreling — Sources also describe hollow/fast walls and barrels.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Fast, heavy walls that end abruptly near jagged rock formations.
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, heavy walls that end abruptly near jagged rock formations.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ghost Tree (Del Monte Forest) in the full forecast view.
Ghost Tree (Del Monte Forest) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- NW321°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2611 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–1.8 m9s period
- Temperature
- 10–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ghost Tree (Del Monte Forest) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 1.0–1.8 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- sharks
- extreme-wave-power
- jagged-rocks
- heavy-currents
- cold-water
- great-white-sharks
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — Lifeguard presence listed as none at the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is listed as no for the spot.
Rules of the spot
Only for top big-wave tow-in experts; off-limits for paddling surfers. Motorized watercraft/PWC usage can be restricted and is regulated in the area.
- Off-limits for paddling surfers; only for tow-in big-wave experts.
- Motorized-watercraft restrictions and/or PWC regulation may apply in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
- Spot is extremely dangerous; do not attempt unless you are among the world’s top big-wave tow-in surfers.
- Access to the break is typically via boat/jet-ski from a nearby safer launch due to the treacherous rocky shoreline.
- Attempt only with a dedicated safety team and flotation equipment.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Pebble Beach, California
- Nearest Town
- Pebble Beach
- Nearest Airport
- Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) (~10 km).
- Parking
- Limited roadside parking along 17-Mile Drive (toll road).
- Public Transport
- Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) serves the area; private vehicle or bike is primary.
- Access
- Located off the 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links on 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, adjacent to Del Monte Forest; spectating from shore is possible but access to the water is restricted. Access to the water is via a steep rocky descent or by boat.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — High-end resorts across Pebble Beach and nearby Carmel; also Monterey hotels are referenced.
- Food & Drink
- Dining available within Pebble Beach and nearby Carmel.
- Equipment Rental:
- No specialized big-wave gear rentals nearby (equipment rental may be available in nearby Monterey and Carmel, with limited on-site rentals within the residential forest area).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The nearby Pebble Beach area and 17-Mile Drive provide scenic coastal attractions and easy access to major Monterey-area amenities, while the spot itself is a remote and highly controlled big-wave location.
A scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, famous for the Lone Cypress and coastal vistas.
An iconic western cypress tree standing on a granite hillside, a symbol of the Monterey Peninsula.
World-renowned championship golf course offering dramatic ocean-side play.
World-class aquarium located on the historic Cannery Row in nearby Monterey.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ghost Tree (Del Monte Forest)?
The best overall months at Ghost Tree (Del Monte Forest) are December, January, February. The best wind months are January, February, December.
Which wind directions work at Ghost Tree (Del Monte Forest)?
Ghost Tree (Del Monte Forest) works with E, NE winds. Offshore directions are E, NE.
What skill level is Ghost Tree (Del Monte Forest) suitable for?
Ghost Tree (Del Monte Forest) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.