North Jetty is known as one of the key surf spots in Humboldt County, mainly due to its location close to Humboldt State University. This spot gained some notoriety from the Pulp Mill lawsuit launched by the Surfrider Foundation in the early 90s. It’s a popular destination for surfers, particularly when the conditions line up right, but it can get pretty crowded.

This spot works best with NorthWest swell directions and can handle swells up to about 3 feet (0.9 meters). You might also find it firing with south or north swells. The waves usually break over sand, giving you the chance to ride both steep, hollow lefts and some powerful barreling rights when the sandbar is set up right. The best conditions typically happen during an incoming tide and with clean NW pulses. Just keep in mind, it’s an expert-only wave, so be ready for some heavy surf.

One cool thing about North Jetty is the river-like paddling channel right next to the jetty, which can make getting out a bit easier. The optimal wind direction here is Southeast, and it can be windy, especially during storms. Just a heads up, there have been a few non-fatal shark attacks and some shark sightings over the years, so it's something to keep in mind while you're out there surfing.