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.

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Spot forecast for Pillar Point Harbor

Sunrise 07:23 · Sunset 18:26

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 2.2 km from the spot.

Monday 19 October Low tide 00:14 · 0.8 m High tide 07:39 · 1.8 m Low tide 12:32 · 1.5 m High tide 17:44 · 1.9 m
Tuesday 20 October Low tide 01:03 · 0.8 m High tide 08:07 · 1.9 m Low tide 13:34 · 1.4 m High tide 18:52 · 1.9 m
Wednesday 21 October Low tide 01:44 · 0.8 m High tide 08:31 · 2 m Low tide 14:21 · 1.2 m High tide 19:52 · 1.9 m
Thursday 22 October Low tide 02:20 · 0.8 m High tide 08:52 · 2.1 m Low tide 15:01 · 1 m High tide 20:46 · 1.9 m
Friday 23 October Low tide 02:53 · 0.9 m High tide 09:14 · 2.2 m Low tide 15:39 · 0.8 m High tide 21:38 · 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…)

Season · peak

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

7-12 knots · 87%13-20 knots · 12%21-30 knots · under 1%

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

Monthly averages — Pillar Point Harbor — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
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

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Technical details of Pillar Point Harbor spot

The spot works with winds from N, S, SSW, SW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

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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Half Moon Bay Airport2.5 kmsource noaa

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Additional stations

Pillar Point2.2 km

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Half Moon Bay Switch7 km

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Webcams near Pillar Point Harbor

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Nearby spots

All spots: California

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Pillar Point Harbor kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot