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Shaks 88.9
#886 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 score88.9 /100
Surfable days99% of the year
Clean days41% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell62% period 11 s+
Typical size1.6 m 5.2 ft median
Water13°C a 4/3 with boots
Best time to surf Shaks
The best time to surf Shaks is January, February, November. The season runs Sep to Mar. In November the water sits around 14°C, so pack a 4/3 with boots, and the typical wave is 1.6 m. The nearest airport is SJC (47 km) and the nearest town is Santa Cruz (14 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 96% | 62% | 2.3 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Feb | 99% | 53% | 1.9 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Mar | 100% | 53% | 1.9 m | 13°C | 5/4 |
| Apr | 100% | 32% | 1.7 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
| May | 100% | 21% | 1.7 m | 11°C | 5/4 |
| Jun | 100% | 15% | 1.5 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Jul | 100% | 22% | 1.4 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Aug | 100% | 27% | 1.2 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Sep | 100% | 46% | 1.4 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Oct | 99% | 53% | 1.5 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 99% | 73% | 1.6 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Dec | 99% | 53% | 2.1 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
Why 88.9
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%
4.6
Water comfort 10%
0.3
Access 10%
9.7
The detail
Faces 220° with 47% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 67% of days. Mean peak period 12.0 s. Days over 3 m: 5%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 17%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates 36.997, -122.178 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Davenport🇺🇸 United States of America · score 88.8Laguna Creek🇺🇸 United States of America · score 89.04 Mile🇺🇸 United States of America · score 89.13 Mile🇺🇸 United States of America · score 89.5
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