Half Moon Bay High & Low Tide Today

Geographic Overview

Half Moon Bay lies on the San Mateo County coast, about 45 km south of San Francisco, sheltered within a broad crescent bay of the same name facing the open Pacific. The coastline here is rugged: sandy state beaches (Francis, Venice, Dunes, and others) alternate with rocky headlands, sea stacks, and offshore reefs. One of those reefs — Mavericks, about 3 km offshore near Pillar Point — is one of the most consequential big-wave surf breaks on earth. Waves there regularly exceed 10–15 m in height during winter swells and have reached documented heights above 20 m. The town itself is agricultural — it sits in a valley known for pumpkins, Brussels sprouts, and cut flowers — with a working fishing harbour at Pillar Point.

Tidal Characteristics

Half Moon Bay follows the mixed semidiurnal tidal pattern of the California coast, with a range of roughly 1.5–1.8 m. Tidal state interacts significantly with the area's heavy swell: low tides on exposed reefs can make dangerous conditions even more hazardous by reducing water depth over rocks. The outgoing tide combined with swell can generate powerful shoreward-sweeping currents along beach sections. Monitoring tide tables is practical here, not optional.

Best Times to Visit

The Mavericks big-wave season runs November through March, when North Pacific storm swells arrive with enough power and period to produce the break's signature waves. For casual visitors, late spring and autumn (April–May, September–October) offer the best balance of settled weather, lower crowds, and manageable swell. Summer brings thick morning fog and often cool, grey afternoons — temperatures hover around 13–16°C air, 12–14°C water. Summer also coincides with strong upwelling that keeps the ocean cold. Autumn clears up and warms slightly, but swells begin building again by October.

Safety Tips

- Water temperature year-round stays between 10–15°C; hypothermia is a genuine risk for anyone in the water without a wetsuit. A 4/3 mm wetsuit minimum is standard; 5/4 mm is appropriate in winter. - Sneaker waves — large, unexpected waves that surge far up the beach without warning — are a documented hazard along this coast. Never turn your back on the ocean; stay well above the waterline when exploring rocky areas. - Rip currents are common at beach breaks; identify exit points before entering the water. - The Mavericks break is not survivable without specific big-wave training, a support team, and safety personnel. Do not paddle out there without professional experience — people have died there. - Cell service is unreliable along parts of the coast; inform someone of your plans before hiking remote headlands.

What Makes It Special

Mavericks holds a singular place in surfing history. The break was largely unknown outside a tight local circle until the early 1990s, when its existence became public through photographs of local surfer Jeff Clark, who had been riding it alone for years. The wave breaks over a submerged rock reef in a distinctive horseshoe shape, creating a fast, heavy left that demands absolute commitment. On the right day in winter, watching a Mavericks session from the Pillar Point bluff — with binoculars — is one of the more extraordinary things you can witness on the California coast. Beyond the surfing, the tidepools along the beaches are exceptionally rich, and the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve a few kilometres north (at Moss Beach) offers some of the best accessible intertidal habitat on the West Coast.