Mavericks
Big-wave reef off Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay. The shelf jacks long-period northwest groundswell from deepwater into a single right-hand peak — and a left on the right swells. Breaks on a narrow window: serious size, serious period, calm wind.
Spot intel
Parking
Free dirt lot at Pillar Point Harbor and a paved lot off Westpoint Avenue. The walk out to the bluff over the wave is about half a mile on a public trail. The wave itself is a long paddle from the harbor channel or a ski tow from the inside.
Crowd
A small, vetted crew on the days it breaks. Lineup runs at big-wave level — the wave is not a paddle-up. Boats, skis, and photographers pack the channel.
Beginner-friendly?
No.
Big-wave reef with a hold-down zone of rocks, kelp, and current. Wave-of-consequence territory. Not a beginner wave on any swell.
Lineup etiquette
Big-wave priority. The deepest rider on the peak has the wave; the channel is for the channel. Hassling or dropping in is the standard call-out and gets you off the wave permanently.
When it's on
Long-period northwest groundswell at serious size with light offshore wind from the east. Mid-tide window. The wave is a winter wave — the swell window closes through summer.
Where it breaks
- Coordinates
- 37.4917, -122.5042
- Shore faces
- W
- Region
- Half Moon Bay, California
Launching summer 2026.
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