Surfing Ghost Trees: The Complete Guide

Ghost Trees is a shallow slab located in Pebble Beach, USA (CA), offering a right-hander along North America's diverse surf scene. Ghost Trees is Pebble Beach's secret big wave—a right-hand slab named for the white, ghostly Monterey Cypress trees that frame the break. Rated as expert-level difficulty with lightly crowded conditions, this slab break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is W (281°), with workable conditions from W to WNW (270°–292°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Ghost Trees needs a minimum of 3.7m / 12ft to start working and handles swells up to 18.3m / 60ft before conditions deteriorate. When it maxes out, expect powerful, heavy-water conditions.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 18 seconds, with 20 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the E (101°). The full offshore range spans NE to SE (56°–146°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at all tides.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Ghost Trees runs Year-round. This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Season Notes: Rare winter days

Getting There

The nearest airport is MRY, just a quick 15-minute drive from the break.

Access: Restricted (jet ski ban)

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🪸 Sharp reef — Shallow reef, booties recommended

Safety Tips:

Wear reef booties to protect your feet from sharp coral and rock

Skill Level: This spot is rated expert-level (8/10). Crowd Level: Typically lightly crowded (3/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Ghost Trees? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Ghost Trees is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*