Waddell Creek Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
W, NW, SW
Wind
E or glassy
Surf Height
Waist high-2X overhead
Tide
Incoming to high
Waddell Creek Surf Guide
Waddell Creek is several hundred yards of reefs and beachbreaks leading up to a rivermouth, then more beachbreaks with more reefs at the north end. Waddell Creek is the workhorse spot for Santa Cruz surfers. It tends to be best in the morning before the onshore winds come up, and it can be good all day when the winds are blowing offshore. When the wind comes up, the sailboarders take over, but when it's not windy enough for them, the kitesurfers are out there. Waddell Creek is open to everything and does a good job of handling it all. The reefs love a mid-size W or S swell, and the beachbreaks like anything up to double-overhead, from any direction. There's nothing faux about Waddell Creek. This is an industrial-strength surf spot, which also happens to be at the mouth of one of the prettiest valleys on the coast. Catch it on a blue, offshore, head-high day in the fall, and welcome to NorCal heaven.
Ability Level
All Abilities
Beginner-Advanced
Local Vibe
Doable
Sometimes high, usually mellow.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
Sometimes high. This place is inundated with the overflow from Santa Cruz.
Spot Rating
Fun
Good.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
Moderate.
Water Quality
Clean
Clean.
Hazards
Sharks, sailboarders, kite surfers, stoke overload.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Funboard, Kiteboard
Access
Lots of parking down below and up along the highway on the south end.
Bottom
Sand and reef
Best Season
January-December
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