Point St. George

Surfing
Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Point St. George is an exposed beach-and-point break in Del Norte County, producing heavy, powerful surfing waves that can break up to roughly 200 meters over a reef slab. The setup is generally described as a left-hand point/reef arrangement, with performance dependent on finding the right combination of swell direction and wind. Wave and ride quality are described as good to average, with sources emphasizing how quickly conditions can change and how easily the surf can become unfriendly if the wind turns onshore. Low tide is consistently identified as the best time, and the spot is noted as having unreliable waves overall—so careful timing and on-water assessment matter. Safety considerations are significant. Reported hazards include sharks and rocky/reef features (including sea stacks and submerged rocks), along with strong currents and cold water. Local guidance highlights that conditions can change rapidly—watch the water first before committing—and that winter swells are when the spot tends to come alive, especially when tide and wind line up. The area is cold year-round (roughly 9–17 °C depending on month) with generally low crowds, supported by remote access and minimal facilities at the beach itself. In practice, plan to bring full cold-water protection and be prepared for limited or no rescue/lifeguard presence at the immediate launch area.

  • Exposed point/reef break with heavy, powerful surf
  • Best around low tide
  • Winter swells can produce the most consistent getting-going conditions
  • Shark and rocky/reef hazards
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Exposed point/reef setup with powerful waves and long-breaking potential.
  • Generally uncrowded due to remoteness and hazardous conditions.
Heads up
  • Unreliable/fickle wave conditions that require specific swell and wind matching.
  • Heavy, powerful waves that can become dangerously heavy on very large swells.
  • Cold water year-round and limited on-site infrastructure.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
ESE
Offshore directions
ESE
Wind Range
15–25 kts
Wind Type
Frontal — Provider data describes the wind type as frontal.
Reliability
unreliable
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts
Best Months
January
Shadow Zones
shelter can be found directly under the cliffs depending on wind angle

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean
Beach
Sand — Beach composition described as sand by one source and mixed by another.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Huge — Another provider describes wave size as medium; combined data suggests it can become extremely large on the right swell.
Launch
Medium — Rugged beach access points around the rocky headland.
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Rugged access to rocky headland beach areas.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
10–14 °C
Water Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 4/3mm or 5/4mm + Boots, Gloves, Hood
Storm/Rain Season

November through March

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed beach and point break on a rugged headland, with a left-hand point/reef setup. Waves are heavy and can break over reef slab sections for extended distances; performance is highly dependent on matching swell and wind, and conditions are unreliable/fickle.

Reef breakBeach break
Wave Direction
Left
Optimal Swell
W, NW
Swell Height
1.5–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
Low — Best around low to mid tide; multiple sources cite low tide specifically.
Shelter
Exposed
Wind Effect
offshore-winds-from-southeast; very sensitive to onshore winds which blow out conditions frequently
Bigger Swell
Energy can be mellowed by sea stacks and reefs; very large swells may wash out or become dangerously heavy.
Wave Quality
Good — Wave quality is described as good in one source; another provider describes it as average and emphasizes fickleness.
Wave Power
Powerful
Wave Shape
Mixed
Peel Speed
Medium — Provider data indicates medium peel speed; other data suggests left-hand point/reef setup.
Ride Length
Long — Breaks can continue for long distances when the point/reef sections connect.
Ride Length Details
Breaks for up to 200 meters over a reef slab; can offer decent length when point sections connect.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Point St. George in the full forecast view.

Point St. George wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–15 ktsGusts 24 kts
Direction
W266°
Strongest day
Fri, Oct 2315 kts
Windy days
1/712 kts or more
Waves
1.0–2.5 m9s period
Temperature
7–16 °C

Over the next 7 days, Point St. George is forecast for daytime winds of 2–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Friday, October 23 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 1.0–2.5 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
  • reef
  • sea stacks
  • strong currents
  • submerged rocks
  • cold water
  • remote location
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestHoodWetsuitBootsGlovesLeash

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Rescue availability referenced as limited for the regional coast coverage.
Emergency Info
Emergency services available in Crescent City; emergency services reachable via 911.
Localism / Vibe
Mild

Rules of the spot

Standard surf etiquette applies; respect the wild environment. Compatible with local ocean safety norms; no specific posted rules found.

Local Tips
  • Conditions change rapidly; always watch the water for a while before heading out.
  • The spot really gets going during the larger winter swells, especially when the tide is low and the wind is coming from…
  • Uncrowded spot; heavy waves are common and best around low tide.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Crescent City
Nearest Town
Crescent City
Parking
Limited roadside parking available near the beach access point; public parking available at the Heritage Park trailhead.
Access
Access is via Point St. George Heritage Park with trails leading down to the beach areas.
Local Language
English
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Camping and hotels are available in nearby Crescent City.
Food & Drink
Restaurants and stores are located in Crescent City, about a 10-minute drive away.
Equipment Rental:
No rentals on site; check shops in Crescent City.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Point St. George?

The best overall months at Point St. George are January.

Which wind directions work at Point St. George?

Point St. George works with ESE winds. Offshore directions are ESE.

What skill level is Point St. George suitable for?

Point St. George suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.