McKee’s Creek
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
McKee’s Creek is a remote, exposed right-hand point break on California’s Lost Coast. It is described as rugged and sensitive to conditions, with powerful waves that can become very heavy on larger swells and strong water movement. The spot is most workable when the swell/wind fit is correct: southwest groundswells are referenced as the key swell input, while the northeast wind direction is described as the important direction to groom the face. Clean conditions are reported as relatively uncommon (monthly clean percentage is given as 14%), so expect that many sessions will be less than ideal. Hazards are a core part of the spot’s profile. Reported hazards include sharks, sea urchins, rip currents/undertow, and submerged rocks, along with strong currents and dense kelp. Combined with the narrow rocky launch area and limited space for gear, this creates a high-consequence environment. Because of extreme remoteness, lack of lifeguards, and limited rescue availability, visitors are advised to be self-sufficient and to avoid surfing alone. Localism is described as heavy, with strict expectations for lineup etiquette and an emphasis on respecting the local community.
- Exposed Lost Coast point break with powerful, peeling right-hand waves
- Northeast winds are the key direction to groom the face
- High-consequence hazards (sharks, sea urchins, rip currents/undertow, rocks) and strict localism
- Works best with the right swell/wind combination (southwest groundswell with northeast winds).
- Clean-on-fit potential is referenced (though clean conditions are relatively rare).
- Very remote with limited access, limited/slow emergency response, and no lifeguards.
- Heavy hazards: sharks, sea urchins, rip currents/undertow, rocks, and strong currents.
- Very exposed point with powerful waves that can become difficult to manage on larger swells.
- Very high local tension/heavy localism; strict etiquette expected.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Sources describe a gradient wind pattern (northwest gradient regionally; NE winds are the key workable direction at this spot).
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- August
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs and coastal terrain can create significant wind shadows and turbulence.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Small — Narrow rocky beach area near the creek mouth with limited space for equipment.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Limited space and remote access logistics.
Through the year
Low volume due to remoteness, but very high social tension if outsiders are present.
Winter months (December-March) bring frequent heavy rain and unruly storm swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Remote and rugged right-hand point break on the Lost Coast (Humboldt County). Exposed and sensitive to swell/wind fit.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the northeast are required to groom the face; typical northwest winds make it choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Becomes very heavy and difficult to manage with significant water movement on larger swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as heavy and difficult to manage on larger swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer a decent peeling line that connects through the point on ideal swells.
- Ride Length Details
- Medium ride length; connects through the point on ideal swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for McKee’s Creek in the full forecast view.
McKee’s Creek wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–7 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- NNW347°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 287 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–2.0 m9s period
- Temperature
- 8–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, McKee’s Creek is forecast for daytime winds of 1–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 1.1–2.0 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
- Sharks
- Sea urchins
- Rip currents
- Undertow
- Rocks
- Localism
- Strong currents
- Submerged rocks
- Dense kelp beds
- Remote location
- Limited access / hiking
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No on-site rescue services reported; emergencies handled by regional services with significant response times.
- Emergency Info
- Extremely remote; nearest medical facilities are over an hour away. For emergencies dial 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Heavy — Localism is described as heavy/protective, with strict expectations around lineup etiquette.
Rules of the spot
Local surfers expect strict lineup etiquette; respect local surfers due to a protective local community.
- Limited access due to remote wilderness terrain.
- Extremely limited parking in a remote wilderness setting.
- Never surf alone due to extreme remoteness and lack of cell service.
- Access is difficult and may require remote coastal trails or 4x4/high-clearance vehicles.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Eureka
- Nearest Town
- Shelter Cove
- Nearest Airport
- California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (ACV)
- Parking
- Extremely limited parking in a remote wilderness setting.
- Public Transport
- Extremely limited; a private 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle is often required for access.
- Access
- Access is difficult, typically involving remote coastal trails or 4x4 vehicles along the Lost Coast.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Far — Camping is the primary option in the King Range National Conservation Area.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on-site; the nearest supplies are in Shelter Cove.
- Equipment Rental:
- No equipment rental facilities in the immediate vicinity; visitors must be self-sufficient.
- Gear Storage
- No public gear storage facilities available in this remote area.
- Gear Repair
- Nearest professional gear repair is several hours away in the San Francisco Bay Area or occasionally in the Eureka area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Tourism centers on outdoor recreation such as hiking and exploring along the rugged Lost Coast wilderness setting.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at McKee’s Creek?
The best overall months at McKee’s Creek are August.
Which wind directions work at McKee’s Creek?
McKee’s Creek works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is McKee’s Creek suitable for?
McKee’s Creek suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.