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Pillar Point Harbor kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot
United States · California
Overview
Pillar Point Harbor is a kitesurfing spot located in Princeton-by-the-Sea, in the Half Moon Bay area, California. This spot is adjacent to the famous Mavericks wave, one of the biggest in the world. The harbor provides partial protection from swells but conditions remain demanding with strong northwest winds and cold water. The spot is suited for advanced riders due to the hostile environment and currents.
Spot forecast for Pillar Point Harbor
Sunrise 07:23 · Sunset 18:26
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo
Tides
Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 2.2 km from the spot.
- Monday 19 October Low tide · 0.8 m High tide · 1.8 m Low tide · 1.5 m High tide · 1.9 m
- Tuesday 20 October Low tide · 0.8 m High tide · 1.9 m Low tide · 1.4 m High tide · 1.9 m
- Wednesday 21 October Low tide · 0.8 m High tide · 2 m Low tide · 1.2 m High tide · 1.9 m
- Thursday 22 October Low tide · 0.8 m High tide · 2.1 m Low tide · 1 m High tide · 1.9 m
- Friday 23 October Low tide · 0.9 m High tide · 2.2 m Low tide · 0.8 m High tide · 1.9 m
Pillar Point Harbor: when to go?
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
240h
in May · 24 rideable days
The season runs from February to June, peaking in May: 20 rideable days a month and 240 hours of usable wind, at 15 °C. The low point is December, at 7.5 days.
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 87% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is March, at 14 °C. The wettest month is December, with 132 mm.
Monthly averages: Pillar Point Harbor
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.5 | 65 h | 15 °C | 82 mm |
| February | 15.5 | 116 h | 15 °C | 103 mm |
| March | 23.5 | 204 h | 14 °C | 55 mm |
| April | 19.5 | 181 h | 15 °C | 15 mm |
| May | 24.0 | 240 h | 16 °C | 11 mm |
| June | 19.0 | 174 h | 16 °C | 5 mm |
| July | 13.5 | 91 h | 17 °C | 5 mm |
| August | 18.0 | 132 h | 18 °C | 7 mm |
| September | 10.5 | 79 h | 19 °C | 4 mm |
| October | 14.0 | 78 h | 21 °C | 42 mm |
| November | 10.5 | 79 h | 17 °C | 107 mm |
| December | 7.5 | 50 h | 16 °C | 132 mm |
Photo gallery of Pillar Point Harbor
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
Technical details of Pillar Point Harbor spot
The spot works with winds from N, S, SSW, SW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.
Spot opening date · Required level
- Spot opening date
- Open all year round
- Required level
- Advanced
On the water
Ocean spot semi-sheltered by the harbor jetty. Waves of 0.5 to 2m outside the protected zone. Water is cold (10-15°C/50-59°F), a 4/3 wetsuit is essential. Rocky and sandy bottom. Significant tidal currents at the harbor entrance. Abundant kelp offshore. The exposed northern area can receive very large swells in winter.
Hazards
Proximity to Mavericks — giant waves possible in winter, never venture into that area. Very cold water — hypothermia. Strong tidal currents at the harbor entrance. Submerged rocks and reefs around Pillar Point. Great white sharks in the Red Triangle. Fishing and recreational boat traffic. Frequent thick fog. Dense kelp offshore.
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Live
Half Moon Bay Airport2.5 kmsource noaa
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Additional stations
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Pillar Point2.2 km
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