Steamer Lane (Santa Cruz) surf report & water temperature
Updated 12 Oct, 14:00 UTC
Current conditions
Right now at Steamer Lane (Santa Cruz): 5 kts NNE, gusts 5, 2.0 m waves, water 18 °C — big, for experienced surfers.
7-day forecast
| Sun 11 | Mon 12 | Tue 13 | Wed 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 21 | 00 | 03 | 06 | 09 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 00 | 03 | 06 | 09 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 00 | 03 | 06 | 09 | 12 | 15 | |
| Wind | 9 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Gusts | 13 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 18 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Direction | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ | ↑ |
| Waves | 2.3 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Temperature | 16 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 22 | 22 |
| Rain (mm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Times shown in local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
🔒 Days 4–7 are Pro — The free plan shows the first 3 forecast days. Go Pro to see the whole week.
Tides (next 48 h)
Spot info
- Town: Santa Cruz, California
- Water: Sea
- Sports: Surf
- Best wind directions: NNNENE
A right-hand point break below the lighthouse cliff in Santa Cruz, and one of the most storied waves in California. West and north-west swells wrap around the point and break over rock in several sections, from the Point to Middle Peak and the Slot. The line-up is crowded and competent, and the cliff jump-off needs care. Autumn and winter bring the best swells.
No webcam here yet.
Steamer Lane (Santa Cruz) water temperature
Today: 18 °C
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 |
Monthly mean sea surface temperature, 2023–2025.
Steamer Lane (Santa Cruz) weather by month
Biggest average waves: January, February and March.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg wind (kts) | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Days ≥12 kts | 5% | 14% | 11% | 4% | 3% | 2% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 5% |
| Waves (m) | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.9 |
| Air high (°C) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 18 | 17 |
| Water (°C) | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 |
Model averages, 2023–2025 (Open-Meteo). Wind is the daytime mean, 08:00–20:00; a day counts when it has 3 or more daytime hours at 12 knots or above.
Steamer Lane (Santa Cruz) FAQ
- Is there a beach cam at Steamer Lane (Santa Cruz)?
- Not one we can show right now. This page has the 7-day wind and wave forecast for Steamer Lane (Santa Cruz).
- What is the water temperature at Steamer Lane (Santa Cruz)?
- Today the water is 18 °C. Over the year it runs from 12 °C in March to 16 °C in September (2023–2025 average).
- When is the best time to surf at Steamer Lane (Santa Cruz)?
- January, February and March have the biggest average waves, on the 2023–2025 average.
- What wind direction works at Steamer Lane (Santa Cruz)?
- It works best in N, NNE, NE winds.
