Surf spot

The Hook

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

Country: USA, California, Santa Cruz
Coordinates: 36.9599, -121.9648

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	ESEOnshore	ESEOnshore	SEGlassy	SSWCross-off	SSWCross-off	SECross-on	ESEOnshore	ESEOnshore	ESEOnshore	EOnshore	ESEOnshore	SSWCross-off	WSWOffshore	WNWCross-off	NNWCross-off	NNWCross-off	NECross-on	SSWGlassy	ESEGlassy	SCross	SWCross-off	SWGlassy	NNWCross-off	SSEGlassy	SECross-on	SEGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	EOnshore	ESEOnshore	ESEGlassy	ESEGlassy	ESEGlassy	SSECross	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	SSEGlassy	SWGlassy	SEGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWCross	SSWCross-off	WSWCross-off	WSWOffshore	SSWGlassy	EGlassy	EGlassy	SEGlassy	SSWCross-off	SWCross-off	SWCross-off	EGlassy	ENEOnshore

The Hook is a well-known surf spot in Santa Cruz, California, located on the northern end of Monterey Bay near the Santa Cruz Harbor. It’s one of the city’s more iconic breaks, especially popular with longboarders, intermediate surfers, and locals.

What it’s like

Wave type: Mostly a right-hand point-style wave that wraps around the rocky point.
Wave quality: Can be fun, clean, and playful, especially on smaller swell days.
Best for: Longboarding, cruising, and mellow surfing rather than heavy performance surfing.
Bottom: Generally rocky, so caution is important, especially near low tide.

Conditions

Works best with west to northwest swell and offshore easterly winds.
Since it’s in Santa Cruz, conditions can change quickly with fog, wind, and tide shifts.
It can get crowded when conditions are good because of its easy access and reputation.

Hazards

Rocks and reefs near the takeoff and along the inside sections.
Crowds, especially on good summer and fall days.
Be mindful of currents and set waves if you’re unfamiliar with the area.

Vibe

The Hook has a classic Santa Cruz surf culture feel—laid-back, local, and scenic, with views of the bay and harbor. It’s a spot that often gives small-to-medium, clean waves and a fun session rather than big-power surfing.