Boneyards Surf Forecast
BREAK TYPE
Powerful reef break in Encinitas producing heavy, hollow waves.
GOOD FOR
Sitting on the reef shelf between D Street and Swami's, Boneyards throws both a left and a right off the same setup. It reads as a mellower carryover of the Swami's ledge, with rippable shoulders on a chest-high day and real push when winter fills it out toward double overhead. Mid tide sharpens the shape. Suits confident intermediates who want a Swami's-style wall minus the pack.
BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS
WORKS BEST WITH
- Swell Direction
- NW W SW
- Wind
- E NE
- Tide
- Low & Mid
WHEN IT WORKS
The reef sees northwest, west, and southwest swell, so it fires hardest from about December into March when North Pacific pulses line up. Summer south swells still send through fun waist to chest sets. Light east or southeast morning winds groom the faces before the daily onshore. Mid tide holds the best shape, and higher water can wash the beach out entirely.
AVERAGE CROWD FACTOR
- Weekdays
- Packed
- Weekends
- Mosh Pit
WHAT TO KNOW
The bottom is rock, so a blown takeoff at low water can mean a scrape. Sandstone bluffs sit right behind the beach, and a pushing high tide can pin surfers against the cliff or cut the walk-out off entirely, so time the session with the tide chart. Crowds stay lighter than Swami's but respect the regulars who paddle down from D Street. Standard San Diego shark odds, nothing pointed.
GETTING THERE
No direct path drops in at the sand, so plan on a hike. From the north, park on the streets around D Street, take the wooden stairs at the viewpoint, and head south roughly a quarter mile. From the south, use the Swami's lot on 101 and walk north about a half mile once the tide allows. Free street parking fills fast in summer. Facilities are back at Moonlight or Swami's.