Mavericks
Mavericks is Northern California's big wave proving ground—a cold, shark-infested, boulder-strewn reef off Half Moon Bay that produces some of North America's most dangerous surf. The wave breaks over a submerged rock field, creating an unpredictable playing surface that has claimed lives. When winter storms send massive NW swells down the coast, Mavericks holds waves in the 40-60 foot range. Its invitational contest, first held in 1999, became one of big wave surfing's most prestigious events before it was cancelled indefinitely in 2019. Paddle-in purists still consider it the ultimate test.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (290°)
- Direction range
- 270° - 315°
- Size range
- 7.6m - 18.3m
- Ideal size
- 10.2m - 13.4m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 18s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 135°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Paddle/jet ski
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Mavericks?
Mavericks is a big-wave spot in Half Moon Bay, USA, that mostly breaks right. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Mavericks?
Mavericks is named after a dog: Maverick, a white-haired German Shepherd who swam out after the surfers who rode Pillar Point in March 1967. Jeff Clark paddled out alone in 1975, aged 17, and became the first documented person to surf it. Apple named OS X Mavericks after it in 2013, as part of naming its software after California places.
What swell works best at Mavericks?
Mavericks picks up swell from the W round to the NW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WNW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 7.6m and keeps going up to about 18.3m, with the sweet spot around 10.2 to 13.4m. Period matters too: aim for 18s or longer, as anything under 16s 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 Mavericks?
An E wind is dead offshore at Mavericks, 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 Mavericks?
Mavericks is at its best around the low to mid tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Mavericks?
The most reliable run of swell at Mavericks comes Nov to Mar. There's a second window in Apr and Oct too. Few days in good winter.
Is Mavericks 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, rocks at the entry or in the lineup and sharp, shallow reef (booties help).
How do I get to Mavericks?
The nearest airport on our list is SFO, then it's roughly a 45-minute drive. Paddle/jet ski.
What other surf spots are near Mavericks?
The closest breaks we track are Ocean Beach SF (30 km), handy when Mavericks isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Oct, Apr
Few days in good winter
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Ocean Beach SF
🦈 Cold water crucible • North Pacific power • SF's test piece
Steamer Lane
⬛ NorCal's finest • Lighthouse point • Cold-water champions
Pleasure Point
😊 Santa Cruz mellow • Multiple peaks • Year-round variety
Ghost Trees
👻 Ghostly cypress backdrop • Carmel Canyon power • Restricted access
Plan a trip around Mavericks
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