Rincon
Rincon is the Queen of the Coast—a world-class right-hand point break on the Ventura-Santa Barbara county line that produces some of California's longest, most perfect waves. When winter northwest swells wrap into this sheltered cove and north winds blow offshore, Rincon transforms into machine-like perfection, with rides connecting through multiple sections for hundreds of meters. The wave has shaped California surf culture for generations, producing champions and creating memories. The crowds are legendary when it's good, and the localism is real, but the wave quality justifies every bit of its reputation.
Rincon surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (290°)
- Direction range
- 260° - 320°
- Size range
- 1m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.9m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 315° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.2m
Water temp
15°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
9/10
Access: Park at Bates Beach. Short walk to point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Rincon?
Rincon is a point break in Ventura County, USA, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Rincon?
Rincon picks up swell from the W round to the NW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WNW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.9 to 2.5m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s 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 Rincon?
A N wind is dead offshore at Rincon, and anything from the NW round to the NE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Rincon?
Rincon is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 1.2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Rincon?
The most reliable run of swell at Rincon comes Nov to Feb. There's a second window in Mar and Oct too. Peak winter. Needs big NW swell to wrap into the cove.
How cold is the water at Rincon?
The water at Rincon averages around 15°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Rincon good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 9/10), so mind the pecking order. Extremely localized. Cobblestone bottom. Very crowded when good.
How do I get to Rincon?
The nearest airport on our list is SBA, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive. Park at Bates Beach. Short walk to point.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Oct, Mar
Peak winter. Needs big NW swell to wrap into the cove.
Getting There
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