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Surf GuideCalifornia

Cortez Bank

A remote, cathedral-scale offshore reef that produces infrequent, very large right-hand walls for expert tow- or paddle-surfing missions. Get the latest surfing conditions, forecast, and tide details for Cortez Bank in California.

Break TypeReef Break
Skill LevelExpert
LocationCalifornia, US

Forecast

Fair
  • Waves 2-3 ft+
  • Period 11 s
  • Wind NW 11 kt

As of:

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Spot Guide

Lineup Insights

The Wave

Getting here requires a long offshore run or liveaboard - remoteness greatly raises consequence from wipeouts and complicates rescue.

Best surf arrives on solid W/WNW groundswells with light E winds for clean faces.

Inconsistent for smaller periods and conditions, so patience and long-period swell windows matter.

Lineup Guide

Reef and big-pelagic sightings are reported.

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