What is a good site to check ocean currents before heading out?

So yesterday morning I had quite the time off shore of Baker Beach (SF).  Mind you, I have launched from there many, many times for crabbing and am pretty familiar with the water conditions out there.  HOWEVER...... on occasion that damn current gets the best of me.  And yesterday was exceptional.  Was a gorgeous morning, no wind, 2' breakers to get past, calm water... just perfect.  Once I got a couple hundred yards off the beach, I got swept out and south with a quickness.  Took me nearly an hour to get back in paddling with all my might.  I didn't really realize just how strong that current was until after I'd dropped my traps, 2 of which I had to ditch for safety reasons. Needless to say, I do NOT want to end up in that situation again if I can help it.  And I know all that takes is checking conditions more in depth than I usually do.  I always check tides, swell, wind, and overall weather, however I've been lacking that key "current" info. 

I just found this site, which looks pretty legit, however it looks kinds spotty on its updates:  http://www.cencoos.org/data/hfradar/rtv

Is there a better site that you guys use?  I have also checked Bay Area Sea Kayaker's site, but I'm just curious as to what you guys check before launching into mother natures washing machine.

Yet anther reminder.... safety first.
Thanks!

-Cameron

It is the full moon period, so you get the max tidal change during new/full moons.  Check your timing relative to the hi/lo tides, perhaps you got caught in the peak outgo which concentrates and rips pretty good going thru the GG.

Thanks Bird. 

For whatever reason I didn't even consider that.  And that makes perfect sense.  Will definitely be checking that from now on 

I'd still love to see a site with ocean current conditions.  Looking at that site I posted in my initial post I was definitely out when I shouldn't have been.

Thanks again, Bird.  Wont forget that advice.

Cameron - I'm glad you didn't have something bad happen on your ride in the current!  And thank you for sharing your story - hearing that an experienced offshore kayaker was surprised by an unforeseen condition is a good reminder for all of us to be more aware. 

Check out this page which shows currents in the Humboldt Bay entrance channel:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/eka/swan/

What I love about the site is how you can put your cursor over the squares below the graphics, and it shows you the changes in intensity of the currents based on tides and predicted swell heights, hour by hour.  I'm not sure if there is such a site for SF Bay, but it would be very helpful.

There's no doubt that the nearly 8' runoff yesterday, possibly combined with prevailing North to South currents offshore, was to blame for your experience. 

Best of luck.   

That's a cool link - thanks Eric.

Damn Cameron, glad you're OK.  I nearly went out to Baker yesterday as well, good thing procrastination got the best of me and I ended up dinking around the ARW instead. 

I think we met at crabfest...you're in an inflatable, no? If that's the case, doubly glad for you that the wind was minimal!

LoletaEric - Cool link!  I did see something similar for the SF Bay area.  I'll have to go through my history and find that again.  Thank you 

newfuturevintage - Procrastination was definitely the right choice!  And correct, I have the inflatable.  (Ping me next time ya head out to Baker or Muir!)  And yeah, totally... if that wind have picked up I'd have ended up in LA.....

(Ping me next time ya head out to Baker or Muir!) 

Will do!  Mainly go out surfcasting there, but would love to start bringing the Dolphin.

Ron

I'd still love to see a site with ocean current conditions.  Looking at that site I posted in my initial post I was definitely out when I shouldn't have been.

Your looking for conditions on the currents, or your looking for current conditions?  There are different factors that play into the conditions such as wind, swell, tide, and general weather (overcast, rain, sunny, cold, hot, etc)  The tides are what equal the strength of the currents, so what you want to do is look at a tide chart for your area.  If it shows a +2 for high, and a -2 for low, you have a 4ft swing in tide.  If it's a +5 and -3, you have an 8ft swing in tide.  More swing is more/stronger current.  Take a look at http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/

For swell, I use NOAA and Swellinfo:  http://forecast.weather.gov/ http://www.swellinfo.com/

For wind I use http://windalert.com/ and http://www.windfinder.com/

For general weather, I like Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/

The tide runs under there are brutal

Back in the 70s I spent part of a day hanging on to my dive yak which I had dropped a mushroom anchor to fish Once the outgoing got going I tried to pull the anchor but it was lodged and the yak ended up nose down in the water w me hanging on w arms and legs until things slowed down Nice way to spend the afternoon

A while back I asked around some sailing people and somebody recommended tide and current charts that saltwater sailors use but I never got them Would think somebody at West Marine might be able to point you to something

http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/tideshow.cgi?site=San+Francisco+Bay+Entrance+%28Golden+Gate%29%2C+California+Current

Walk into West Marine and ask for an SF Bay 2015 tide and current booklet.  You will find a series of charts showing the current speed and direction at various times relative to max flood or ebb.  You will need to read the directions to use the charts correctly, but they are detailed, handy size (3.5 by 5 inch booklet), and free! 

This resource has been my go to for current prediction on the bay.  I think the Gate approach is well covered, so Baker Beach should have data.  Hope this is helpful. 

P.S. -I looked for this publication online, but could not find it.  If anyone knows a link ....