Shelter Cove surf guide

Shelter Cove is a surf spot located at the end of a scenic, 24-mile drive west from Redway. This crescent-shaped cove faces southwest and offers some decent waves. The area can get blown out during most of the winter months, while spring and autumn are the best times to catch good swells. Summer tends to bring smaller conditions. The popular surf spot here is Deadman's, but there are a few other places worth checking out too. Just be prepared; you’ll need to walk to all the surf spots once you arrive.

The surf at Shelter Cove can range from waist high (about 1 meter) to triple overhead (around 3 meters) depending on the swell size. Swells coming from the south, southwest, and west can work well here, and the breaks mainly happen over rock. You can catch both lefts and rights, with the rights being generally a bit slower than the lefts. Deadman's usually has fun waves, and if you head further south, No Pass offers some decent lefts, while Gale Point is known for its quality right-hand pointbreak. It’s important to note that the best conditions typically occur during low to mid tides and with winds from the north or northeast.

For those wanting to surf here, it’s good to know that the crowd factor can be a bit of a hassle, so be ready to share the waves. The local vibe isn’t always the friendliest, but the environment is mostly clean. Moreover, be cautious as great whites are known to frequent the area, adding an element of awareness needed while surfing.