Surf spot

Capitola jetty

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

Country: USA, California, Santa Cruz
Coordinates: 36.9712, -121.9477

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)	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.7	0.7	0.4	0.4	0.7	1	1.1	1.1	1.2	1.3	1.2	1	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.1	1	1	1	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
Wave direction	SW	SW	SW	SSW	SSW	SW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	SW	WNW	WNW	SW	SW	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	WNW	WNW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW	SSW
Wave period (s)	14.1	13.9	13.6	13.2	12.8	12.7	12.3	12.2	11.9	11.8	11.3	11.4	11.6	11.6	11.6	11.4	9.9	10.1	5.5	5.4	12.3	11.7	5.3	5	5.7	6	6.2	6.5	6.4	6.8	5.8	6.1	6.2	6.2	6.2	6.2	6.1	6.2	6	6.3	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	7.2	6.5	6.4	6.8	6.8	12.4	12.3	12.8	12.7	12.6	12.6
Wave energy (kJ)	206	200	201	179	169	166	124	114	110	108	99	88	109	103	96	94	41	43	26	27	49	44	30	53	80	92	107	132	114	100	116	122	126	118	111	105	93	83	75	74	64	59	60	58	55	63	48	42	38	36	83	81	75	74	73	73
Wind speed (km/h)	6.9	5.7	2.8	11	12.7	6.9	10	9	5.3	6.1	8	9.8	14.9	19	14.3	9	5.6	2.9	4.3	11.9	10.9	3.6	6	2.7	5.2	3.6	3.1	10.3	13.2	9.2	10.2	6	4.7	4.8	4.6	7.4	13	13.6	5.2	2.6	2.5	2.6	3.6	8.9	13	13.8	6.7	1.1	3.6	4	4.1	8.3	12.5	11.5	1.8	10.7
Wind direction	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	SEGlassy	SSWCross-on	SSWCross-on	SECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ESECross-on	ECross	ESECross-on	SSWOnshore	WSWCross	WNWCross-off	NNWOffshore	NNWOffshore	NECross-off	SSWGlassy	ESEGlassy	SOnshore	SWCross-on	SWGlassy	NNWOffshore	SSEGlassy	SEOnshore	SEGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	ECross	ESECross-on	ESEGlassy	ESEGlassy	ESEGlassy	SSEOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SSEGlassy	SWGlassy	SEGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWOnshore	SSWCross-on	WSWCross-on	WSWCross	SSWGlassy	EGlassy	EGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	EGlassy	ENECross

Capitola Jetty is a surf spot in Capitola, Santa Cruz County, California, near the mouth of Soquel Creek and the Capitola wharf area. It’s a jetty break that can shape waves into short, punchy peaks when conditions line up.

Quick description

Type: Jetty / beachbreak hybrid
Location: Capitola, Santa Cruz, California, USA
Wave character: Often fast, hollow, and localized, with better shape when sand and swell align
Best for: Intermediate to advanced surfers, though it can be surfed by beginners on smaller, softer days
Crowds: Can be busy due to its proximity to town and easy access

Conditions

Works best with a solid swell and favorable sand buildup around the jetty.
Tends to prefer a mix of offshore wind or light wind conditions.
Can be influenced by tidal changes, with some tides producing better shape than others.

Notes

Because it’s near a harbor/river mouth and jetty structure, the wave quality can be inconsistent and change seasonally.
Local knowledge is helpful, since currents, shifting sandbars, and rocks can affect takeoff spots.