El Capitan
El Capitan is a rare, high-reward right-hand cobblestone point off the El Capitan State Beach campground that lights up into long, hollow barrels on big W-WSW winter swells. Get the latest surfing conditions, forecast, and tide details for El Capitan in California.
Live updates:
Lineup Insights
The Wave
When it works, El Cap needs a strong W to WSW swell with periods around or under ~15s, light N-NE offshore breezes, and low-to-mid tide for the best shape.
Check the live tide windows in the app to time your session perfectly.
Lineup Guide
The takeoff sits over barnacle-coated boulders and sand-sucking pockets-misjudged drops often mean rock contact and short paddles back.
Respect the local peak and watch for submerged hazards during lower tidal stages.
Get the full picture in WaveWise.
Stop guessing and start surfing. WaveWise analyzes live data to find your best upcoming sessions so you spend less time planning and more time paddling out.
