Overview

Waddell Creek is an iconic kitesurfing and windsurfing spot located on the Pacific coast north of Santa Cruz. This legendary spot offers powerful and consistent northwest thermal winds. Conditions are demanding with waves and currents, suited to advanced and expert riders. A classic of the California coast.

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Spot forecast for Waddell Creek

Sunrise 07:21 · Sunset 18:25

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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 4.2 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October Low tide 00:59 · 0.7 m High tide 08:04 · 1.8 m Low tide 13:27 · 1.3 m High tide 18:46 · 1.8 m
Wednesday 21 October Low tide 01:39 · 0.7 m High tide 08:25 · 1.9 m Low tide 14:14 · 1.2 m High tide 19:45 · 1.8 m
Thursday 22 October Low tide 02:13 · 0.8 m High tide 08:45 · 2 m Low tide 14:54 · 1 m High tide 20:39 · 1.8 m
Friday 23 October Low tide 02:45 · 0.8 m High tide 09:06 · 2.1 m Low tide 15:32 · 0.8 m High tide 21:31 · 1.8 m
Saturday 24 October Low tide 03:16 · 0.9 m High tide 09:29 · 2.2 m Low tide 16:11 · 0.6 m High tide 22:22 · 1.8 m

Waddell Creek: 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

248h

in August · 27.5 rideable days

The season runs from March to October, peaking in August: 22 rideable days a month and 248 hours of usable wind, at 20 °C. The low point is December, at 4.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 95%13-20 knots · 5%21-30 knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 95% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 15 °C. The wettest month is February, with 129 mm.

Monthly averages: Waddell Creek

Monthly averages — Waddell Creek — 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	43 h	15 °C	108 mm
February	12.5	61 h	15 °C	129 mm
March	18.5	147 h	15 °C	55 mm
April	21.5	162 h	16 °C	24 mm
May	25.5	229 h	18 °C	13 mm
June	23.0	229 h	19 °C	0 mm
July	19.0	160 h	20 °C	0 mm
August	27.5	248 h	24 °C	0 mm
September	17.5	122 h	23 °C	3 mm
October	19.5	122 h	22 °C	12 mm
November	11.0	53 h	18 °C	123 mm
December	4.5	28 h	17 °C	98 mm

Photo gallery of Waddell Creek

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Technical details of Waddell Creek spot

The spot works with winds from WSW, W, WNW, NW.

Depending on conditions: SW, NNW.

RideableDepending on conditions Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Advanced

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Last Chance Road1.7 kmsource noaa

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Additional stations

Ano Nuevo6.3 km

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source noaa
Swanton Road8.7 km

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source noaa

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Webcams near Waddell Creek

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Nearby spots

All spots: Californie

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Waddell Creek kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot