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3 Mile 89.5
#798 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇺🇸 United States of America · California · near Santa Cruz
Works almost every day, no off season, thick rubber.
Works all yearIntermediate
Surf score89.5 /100
Surfable days99% of the year
Clean days55% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell62% period 11 s+
Typical size1.6 m 5.4 ft median
Water14°C a 4/3 with boots
Best time to surf 3 Mile
The best time to surf 3 Mile is January, October, November. The season runs Sep to May. In January the water sits around 14°C, so pack a 4/3 with boots, and the typical wave is 2.3 m. The nearest airport is SJC (48 km) and the nearest town is Santa Cruz (8 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 95% | 78% | 2.3 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Feb | 99% | 65% | 2.0 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Mar | 100% | 65% | 1.9 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
| Apr | 100% | 50% | 1.7 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| May | 100% | 40% | 1.8 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Jun | 100% | 27% | 1.6 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Jul | 100% | 29% | 1.4 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
| Aug | 100% | 38% | 1.3 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Sep | 100% | 56% | 1.4 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Oct | 99% | 68% | 1.6 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 99% | 76% | 1.7 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Dec | 99% | 59% | 2.2 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
Why 89.5
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
24.0
Groundswell 12%
12.0
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
4.8
Water comfort 10%
0.6
Access 10%
9.8
The detail
Faces 205° with 56% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 88% of days. Mean peak period 12.0 s. Days over 3 m: 5%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 14%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates 36.962, -122.117 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
4 Mile🇺🇸 United States of America · score 89.1Laguna Creek🇺🇸 United States of America · score 89.0Natural Bridges🇺🇸 United States of America · score 89.3Shaks🇺🇸 United States of America · score 88.9
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