Is Ross Cove Beach good for swimming today?
Ross Cove Beach has BeachFinder Score: 61/100. Use this as a planning signal only, then check local flags, lifeguards, closures and current beach conditions.
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US-W - US
Ross Cove Beach
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Quick answer
Quick answer: Ross Cove Beach today
Ross Cove Beach is a BeachFinder spot in US-W, US. Today, compare water temperature 16°C, wind 17 km/h · N, uv 7.5, waves 1.6 m, water quality Check official advisories before leaving. BeachFinder Score: 61/100. Always check official flags, closures and lifeguard advice before swimming.
Water temperature
16°C
Wind
17 km/h · N
UV
7.5
Waves
1.6 m
Water quality
Check official advisories
Last updated: Aug 27, 01:30 AM local forecast timeBeachFinder Score: 61/100
Sources: Open-Meteo weather and marine forecasts, OpenStreetMap place context and BeachFinder spot data.
This is planning information, not a safety clearance. Conditions can change quickly.
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Live conditions on the site
Surfers can check wind, wave height, currents and surf cues here before opening the full BeachFinder app.
Updated: Aug 27, 01:30 AM
Water temp
16°C
Air temp
15°C
Feels like
14°C
UV index
7.5
Wind
17 km/h · N
Gust 30 km/h
Waves
1.6 m
Current
1 km/h · S
Parking
...
Shower
...
Accessible access
...
Toilets
...
Restaurants
...
Weather and marine data: Open-Meteo
Ross Cove Beach
Ross Cove Beach extends along the Northern California coast, about 30 kilometers south of San Francisco, in the Half Moon Bay area. The coastline of this region is characterized by spectacular sandstone and schist cliffs that plunge into the ocean, interspersed with small coves and sandy beaches. The water, fed by the cold currents of the North Pacific, offers marine conditions that vary with the seasons, with often significant swells in winter. The beach itself occupies a particular geographical position, nestled between Mavericks Beach 0.7 kilometers to the north and Pillar Point Harbor Beach 2.1 kilometers to the south. Unlike Mavericks, renowned for its massive waves and experienced surfers, Ross Cove Beach retains a more secluded character, less frequented by crowds. The site offers direct access to a stretch of coastline where the ocean meets eroded rock formations, creating a wild and undeveloped atmosphere typical of this segment of the Californian coast. The absence of official lifeguard service and standardized amenities makes it a site for self-sufficient and experienced visitors. No Blue Flag status is awarded to this beach. Access remains undeveloped for people with reduced mobility. Marine conditions require constant caution, particularly due to unpredictable swells and coastal currents characteristic of this Pacific region.
About this spot
Ross Cove is named after a pioneer family who settled in the Half Moon Bay area in the 19th century. This stretch of coast, shaped by millions of years of marine erosion, remains one of the least developed areas of the bay. The immediate proximity of Mavericks Beach—world-renowned for hosting big wave surfing competitions—gives Ross Cove a certain aura, although the cove itself remains largely overlooked by standard tourist routes. Local fishermen and longboard surfers frequent it regularly, particularly during periods of moderate swell.
Updated 5/9/2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the water temperature at Ross Cove Beach today?
16°C. Marine temperature is shown when forecast coverage is available for this location.
How windy is Ross Cove Beach today?
17 km/h · N. Wind can change comfort and surface conditions, especially on exposed beaches.
What should I check before swimming at Ross Cove Beach?
Check official safety flags, lifeguard advice, closures, water-quality advisories, UV, wind, waves and currents before entering the water.
Before you go
Conditions
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Amenities
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Ross Cove Beach
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