Yakutat
Yakutat represents the northern frontier of North American surfing—a remote Alaskan community where Gulf of Alaska storms produce powerful waves that break with glaciers visible in the distance. The setting is primal: rainforest meets ocean, bears wander the beach, and the water temperature hovers just above freezing year-round. The small but dedicated local community has carved out a surf scene in this unlikely location, proving that dedicated surfers will find waves anywhere. For those seeking the ultimate adventure surf experience, Yakutat delivers waves and wilderness in equal measure.
Yakutat surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (180°)
- Direction range
- 150° - 220°
- Size range
- 1m - 4m
- Ideal size
- 2.3m - 3.3m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 315° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 2.5m
Water temp
7°C
Wetsuit
6/5mm + boots, gloves, hood
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Fly into Yakutat. Short drive to beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Yakutat?
Yakutat is a beach break in Alaska, USA, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Yakutat?
Yakutat picks up swell from the SSE round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the S. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 4m, with the sweet spot around 2.3 to 3.3m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s 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 Yakutat?
A N wind is dead offshore at Yakutat, and anything from the NW round to the NE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Yakutat?
Yakutat has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.5m to 2.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Yakutat?
The most reliable run of swell at Yakutat comes Sep to Nov, through the northern autumn. There's a second window in Aug and Dec too. Fall is best. Winter too stormy. Gulf of Alaska swells.
How cold is the water at Yakutat?
The water at Yakutat averages around 7°C, so you'll want a 6/5mm with boots, gloves and a hood. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Yakutat 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. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Extremely cold water. Bears on beach. Very remote.
How do I get to Yakutat?
The nearest airport on our list is YAK, then it's roughly a 5-minute drive. Fly into Yakutat. Short drive to beach.
What other surf spots are near Yakutat?
Fun fact: it's the most northerly break we track in USA.
Best Season
Peak: Sep-Nov
Secondary: Aug, Dec
Fall is best. Winter too stormy. Gulf of Alaska swells.