Surf spot

Blacks

Forecast conditions and map view for Blacks in USA, California, Santa Cruz. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, California, Santa Cruz
Coordinates: 36.9588, -121.9931

Metric
Metric	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00
Wave height (m)	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.4	0.4	0.8	1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.2	1.2	1.1	1.2	1.2	1.3	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.1	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.8	0.6
Wave direction	SSW	SSW	WNW	SW	WSW	WSW	WNW	NW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	SSW	SSW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	NW	WNW	WNW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	WNW	NW
Wave period (s)	12.2	12.2	6	11.3	11.8	11.8	7.2	6	5.3	5.7	5.7	5.7	12.8	12.3	5.3	5.1	5.7	6	6.2	6.4	6.5	6.7	5.8	6.1	6.2	6.3	6.3	6.2	6.2	6.2	5.9	5.9	6.3	6.3	6.5	6.7	6.5	6.5	6.3	6	7.3	6.6	6.5	13.2	13.1	12.9	12.8	12.7	12.6	12.3	12.1	12	11.8	11.7	5.6	6.6
Wave energy (kJ)	106	100	40	99	76	70	24	30	23	28	30	32	58	59	37	54	74	83	98	126	120	103	99	107	122	120	114	107	96	82	72	64	66	61	65	75	75	70	56	44	36	36	30	80	72	71	69	68	67	53	52	51	49	48	44	33
Wind speed (km/h)	2.8	8	5	11.3	13.5	17.3	8.8	9.2	5.1	3	1.5	9	8.6	18.5	13.4	1.8	6.4	2.6	3.2	9.3	12.2	6.1	12.1	5.9	4.7	6.6	4	7.9	13.8	13.6	8.2	2.9	4	4.1	5.6	9.4	10.8	10.9	5.4	1.9	3.9	3.3	1.1	9	13.5	13.5	4	5.8	6	3.8	1.1	8.6	11.7	8.4	11.6	6.5
Wind direction	SEGlassy	ECross-on	ESECross-on	SSWCross-on	WSWCross	WNWCross-off	NNWOffshore	NNWOffshore	NOffshore	NNEGlassy	NEGlassy	SOnshore	WSWCross	NWCross-off	NWOffshore	SEGlassy	ESECross-on	NEGlassy	EGlassy	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SOnshore	ECross-on	ECross-on	ESEGlassy	ECross-on	ESEGlassy	SOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWCross-on	SSWGlassy	SGlassy	SSEGlassy	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SSWOnshore	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSWGlassy	SEGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWGlassy	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WSWGlassy	ECross-on	ENECross	NNEGlassy	NGlassy	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	ECross-on	ECross

Blacks Beach (Blacks), Santa Cruz, California is one of Northern California’s most famous and most challenging surf spots. It’s known for heavy, powerful waves, a steep takeoff, and a fast, hollow right-hand reef break that can produce world-class surf when conditions line up.

Quick description

Location: Santa Cruz, California, USA
Wave type: Predominantly reef break
Break direction: Mostly right
Best conditions: Big northwest swells with favorable wind and tide
Skill level: Expert only

What it’s like

Blacks is a serious big-wave spot that demands strong paddling, good positioning, and confidence in heavy water. The wave often breaks with a lot of speed and power over a shallow reef, making it exciting but unforgiving. On the best days, it can offer long, hollow rides and thick faces, but mistakes can be costly due to the size, current, and impact zone.

Hazards

Shallow reef
Strong currents
Powerful sets
Crowds of experienced surfers
Potential for serious wipeouts

Best for

Advanced to expert surfers
Big-wave surfers
Surfers comfortable in cold Northern California water

Vibe

Blacks has a hardcore, local, no-nonsense reputation and is often treated with a lot of respect by the surf community. It’s less of a casual surf spot and more of a place for surfers who are ready for a challenge.