Cortes Bank
Cortes Bank is surfing's most remote big wave venue—an underwater mountain rising from the seafloor 100 miles off the San Diego coast. When massive Pacific storms generate huge W-NW swells, waves break on the shallow reef at heights that rival anything on Earth: 70-100 foot faces have been documented. Getting there requires a major boat expedition and perfect weather windows. The wave breaks maybe 3 days per year. Cortes Bank represents big wave surfing at its most logistically extreme and potentially largest scale.
Cortes Bank surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (281°)
- Direction range
- 270° - 292°
- Size range
- 18.3m - 22.9m
- Ideal size
- 19.7m - 21.1m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 20s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 135°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Major boat expedition
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Cortes Bank?
Cortes Bank is a big-wave spot in 100mi off San Diego, USA, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Cortes Bank?
Cortes Bank picks up swell from the W round to the WNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the W. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 18.3m and keeps going up to about 22.9m, with the sweet spot around 19.7 to 21.1m. Period matters too: aim for 20s or longer, as anything under 18s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Cortes Bank?
An E wind is dead offshore at Cortes Bank, and anything from the NE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to midday. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Cortes Bank?
Cortes Bank is at its best around low tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Cortes Bank?
The most reliable run of swell at Cortes Bank comes Nov to Mar. There's a second window in Apr and Oct too. ~3 days/year.
Is Cortes Bank good for beginners?
No. As a big-wave spot, it's strictly for experienced surfers. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 3/10). Things to watch for: shallow water at low tide and sharp, shallow reef (booties help).
How do I get to Cortes Bank?
The nearest airport on our list is SAN. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $2000 USD, but confirm with an operator). Major boat expedition.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Oct, Apr
~3 days/year
Getting There
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