Tide conditions for Cardiff-by-the-Sea surf spots

Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California

Updated Refreshed hourly · Tide data refreshes every 30 minutes from NOAA stations.

A foot of tide swing can shut down one break and light up another in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. These 3 spots all respond differently - some need the low to expose the bar, others clean up on a rising mid.

Current Tide

5.8ft
Falling

Next Low

05:00 PM

-0.2 ft

NOAA tide data via Cached Tide Data

Tide Chart

7-Day Tide Schedule

Today

9:00 AM (7.3ft)
11:00 PM (4.8ft)
3:00 AM (4.0ft)
5:00 PM (1.3ft)

Tomorrow

10:00 AM (7.0ft)
3:00 AM (4.1ft)
5:00 PM (1.5ft)

Fri, Nov 13

12:00 AM (4.7ft)
10:00 AM (6.7ft)
3:00 AM (4.4ft)
6:00 PM (1.8ft)

Sat, Nov 14

2:00 AM (4.6ft)
11:00 AM (6.3ft)
4:00 AM (4.5ft)
7:00 PM (2.0ft)

Sun, Nov 15

4:00 AM (4.8ft)
12:00 PM (6.0ft)
5:00 AM (4.8ft)
8:00 PM (2.2ft)

Mon, Nov 16

4:00 AM (5.0ft)
1:00 PM (5.6ft)
7:00 AM (4.8ft)
9:00 PM (2.3ft)

Tue, Nov 17

5:00 AM (5.3ft)
2:00 PM (5.3ft)
10:00 AM (4.5ft)
10:00 PM (2.4ft)

Beach Tide Preferences

Each beach performs best at a specific tide range and direction. Plan your session around these windows.

Top spot recommendations

Sort your quiver, choose the right tide window, and jot down a backup in case the main peak gets stacked.

What to focus on today

  • Annotated tide windows tied to specific breaks
  • How lunar cycles reshape sandbars through the season
  • Safety notes for rip-prone outbound tides
  • Session planning tips for dawn patrol versus sunset

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Tide preferences vary by spot in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Generally, incoming mid-tides work well for most beaches, offering a good balance of wave shape and power. Check individual spot guides for specific tide recommendations.
Tides significantly impact surf conditions in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Low tide can expose reefs and sandbars creating hollow waves, while high tide often creates softer, more forgiving waves. Mid-tide transitions typically offer the most consistent conditions.
You can check tide charts for Cardiff-by-the-Sea on Quiver's surf forecast pages, NOAA tide predictions, or various surf forecast apps. Quiver provides real-time tide information integrated with surf conditions for accurate session planning.