Tide conditions for Pacifica surf spots

Pacifica, 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 Pacifica. These 2 spots all respond differently - some need the low to expose the bar, others clean up on a rising mid.

Current Tide

2.9ft
Falling

Next Low

04:00 PM

0.1 ft

NOAA tide data via Cached Tide Data

Tide Chart

7-Day Tide Schedule

Today

10:00 AM (5.2ft)
10:00 PM (5.2ft)
4:00 AM (1.4ft)
4:00 PM (0.1ft)

Tomorrow

10:00 AM (5.1ft)
11:00 PM (5.4ft)
4:00 AM (0.9ft)
5:00 PM (0.5ft)

Wed, Apr 1

11:00 AM (4.9ft)
11:00 PM (5.5ft)
5:00 AM (0.4ft)
5:00 PM (0.8ft)

Thu, Apr 2

12:00 PM (4.7ft)
6:00 AM (0.1ft)
6:00 PM (1.3ft)

Fri, Apr 3

12:00 AM (5.5ft)
1:00 PM (4.4ft)
6:00 AM (0.0ft)
6:00 PM (1.7ft)

Sat, Apr 4

12:00 AM (5.5ft)
2:00 PM (4.1ft)
7:00 AM (-0.1ft)
7:00 PM (2.2ft)

Sun, Apr 5

1:00 AM (5.3ft)
2:00 PM (3.8ft)
8:00 AM (0.0ft)
7:00 PM (2.5ft)

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 Pacifica

Tide preferences vary by spot in Pacifica. 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 Pacifica. 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 Pacifica 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.

See today's conditions at your beach

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