A wide, flat-bottomed beachbreak on California's Humboldt County coast, Moonstone sits just south of Camel Rock along Scenic Drive near Trinidad. Best on a W or NW swell in the 2-4ft range with an E or NE wind, at medium-to-low tide when the sandbars snap into shape. On good days it delivers punchy, fast tubes, on the wrong tide or without wind it mushes out into soft, forgettable walls. Suited to beginners through intermediates, it draws a consistent crowd since most Humboldt surfers default here when conditions cooperate. Bottom: sand and rock. Season: March-May and September-November. Consistency: medium. Four non-fatal shark attacks have been documented here, so stay alert, especially at dawn and dusk when visibility is low in the cold, dark water.
This is the go-to spot for the Trinidad area, so expect a crowd whenever conditions are decent. That said, the beach is wide enough to spread out and find your own sandbar south of the main peak. The local vibe is welcoming and there is no documented localism pressure, but standard lineup courtesy applies.
Exit Highway 101 at Westhaven Drive or Trinidad and follow Scenic Drive along the coast. No dedicated parking lot or facilities on site. Bring your own water and pack out your trash. Water is cold year-round, a 4/3 wetsuit is the minimum, with booties recommended in winter.
If Moonstone is closing out or overcrowded, Camel Rock just to the north can form a right-hander resembling a point break on N-wind days and has a useful paddling channel. For a bigger, more powerful option when the swell is pumping, the North Jetty at Humboldt Bay handles more size but comes with serious hazards.
Forecast by Windy.app
