Terms of use

The ocean is dangerous

Surfing, swimming and every other ocean activity can cause serious injury or death, even in conditions that look small or calm. Hazards include, among others:

• Rip currents that pull you away from shore. Swim parallel to the beach to escape.
• Shorebreak and waves breaking in shallow water, which cause neck and spinal injuries.
• Rogue sets: waves much larger than the average, arriving without warning.
• Rocks, reefs, piers, jetties and pilings, many hidden at some tides.
• Other surfers and loose boards; collisions are a leading cause of injury.
• Polluted water, especially for 72 hours after rain and near river mouths and drains.
• Cold water, fatigue, marine life (stingrays, jellyfish, sharks) and changing weather.

Forecasts are estimates, not safety advice

Surf Trip Wave forecasts are computer-model estimates built from public data. They can be wrong, late or missing, and they cannot show local hazards. Ratings like “Good” describe surf quality, never safety. Always check conditions in person, obey lifeguards, posted signs and beach closures, heed National Weather Service warnings, and only go out in conditions within your ability.

Where this information comes from

Our forecasts are built from public government and open data: swell from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction WAVEWATCH III / GFS-Wave model, wind and weather from the NOAA National Weather Service, and tides from NOAA Tides & Currents (CO-OPS). Beach positions come from NOAA shoreline data. We process this data into our own spot-level surf heights and ratings, so our numbers are not official forecasts. NOAA and the other sources do not endorse Surf Trip Wave. For official marine and beach warnings, see weather.gov.

Assumption of risk and release

By using Surf Trip Wave, you confirm you are at least 18 years old and you agree that: (1) you voluntarily assume all risks of any ocean or beach activity, whether or not you used our information; (2) you will not rely on Surf Trip Wave for any decision about your safety or anyone else's; and (3) to the fullest extent permitted by law, you release and waive all claims against Surf Trip Wave and its operators, owners, affiliates, officers, employees and contractors for any injury, death, loss or damage arising from your use of, or reliance on, Surf Trip Wave, including claims based on their negligence. This release does not apply where the law does not allow it.

This is in addition to our Terms of Use. If you do not agree, do not use Surf Trip Wave.