Overview

Stinson Beach is a kitesurfing spot located in Marin County, north of the Golden Gate, in California. This isolated beach faces directly into the Pacific in an area known as the Red Triangle, the most active zone in the world for great white sharks. Conditions are powerful with strong waves, frigid water, and violent currents. The setting is stunning but conditions are among the most dangerous in California. Reserved for experts only.

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Spot forecast for Stinson Beach

Sunrise 07:24 · 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 3 km from the spot.

Monday 19 October Low tide 00:28 · 0.8 m High tide 07:50 · 1.9 m Low tide 12:47 · 1.6 m High tide 17:56 · 1.9 m
Tuesday 20 October Low tide 01:17 · 0.8 m High tide 08:22 · 2 m Low tide 13:49 · 1.4 m High tide 19:08 · 1.9 m
Wednesday 21 October Low tide 01:59 · 0.8 m High tide 08:47 · 2 m Low tide 14:36 · 1.3 m High tide 20:09 · 2 m
Thursday 22 October Low tide 02:34 · 0.8 m High tide 09:09 · 2.1 m Low tide 15:16 · 1.1 m High tide 21:03 · 2 m
Friday 23 October Low tide 03:07 · 0.9 m High tide 09:30 · 2.2 m Low tide 15:54 · 0.8 m High tide 21:56 · 2 m

Stinson Beach: 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

205h

in August · 26 rideable days

The season runs from March to August, peaking in August: 22 rideable days a month and 205 hours of usable wind, at 18 °C. The low point is December, at 4.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 87%13-20 knots · 11%21-30 knots · 1%31+ 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 January, at 14 °C. The wettest month is December, with 133 mm.

Monthly averages: Stinson Beach

Monthly averages — Stinson Beach — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	9.0	60 h	14 °C	99 mm
February	16.0	93 h	14 °C	111 mm
March	22.0	184 h	15 °C	72 mm
April	20.0	163 h	16 °C	26 mm
May	22.5	226 h	19 °C	10 mm
June	22.0	221 h	19 °C	2 mm
July	20.0	147 h	19 °C	7 mm
August	26.0	205 h	21 °C	7 mm
September	16.5	106 h	20 °C	4 mm
October	16.5	95 h	21 °C	6 mm
November	10.0	64 h	16 °C	132 mm
December	4.5	34 h	15 °C	133 mm

Photo gallery of Stinson Beach

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Technical details of Stinson Beach 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: Expert

On the water

Very exposed ocean spot with frequent waves of 1 to 3m. Water is cold year-round (10-14°C/50-57°F), 4/3 wetsuit minimum with hood recommended. Sandy bottom with rocks. Very strong rip currents. Powerful and dangerous shore break. North Pacific swells arrive unobstructed.

Hazards

Great white sharks — Stinson Beach is at the heart of the Red Triangle, the world's most dangerous zone. Attacks have occurred on this beach. Extremely strong and deadly rip currents. Massive shore break. Frigid water — rapid hypothermia. Isolated environment — winding road, distant rescue services. Thick and sudden fog. This spot demands considerable experience and rigorous risk assessment.

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Bolinas Fire Station5.4 kmsource noaa

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Additional stations

GW0319 Fairfax9.3 km

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FW2001 Ross9.9 km

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Webcams near Stinson Beach

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Nearby spots

All spots: California

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Stinson Beach kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot