Long Beach

Best Surf Season (October - March)

Winter and early spring deliver the most consistent and powerful surf to Long Beach. As the North Pacific storm track ramps up, frequent extratropical cyclones generate healthy S and SSW swell trains that march straight into the south-facing beach. Offshore winds from the N, NNW, and NW peak during these months, often grooming the waves to perfection. Average wave heights hover in the 1.3-1.5m range with periods around 7-7.6s – solid, punchy, and very rideable. When a deep low-pressure system aligns just right, we see 2m+ swell with 10-14s periods, turning the lineup into a genuine pumping session. This is the window to circle on the calendar.

Fair Surf Season (April, May, September)

The shoulder months offer a mixed bag. April and May still pick up decent S and SW groundswell, but the wind regimes become more fickle – the reliable NW offshore breeze gets interrupted by onshore S and SSW flow that can chop things up. Average heights drop to 1.1-1.3m with periods around 7.3-7.5s, still fun but less consistent. September stands out as a sleeper: average swell height bumps back up to 1.2m and the average wave period climbs to 8.4s – the highest of the year. Offshore wind frequencies also hit their peak (31% ideal), meaning cleaner conditions are more likely. Look for those early autumn cold fronts to deliver long-period SE to S swell with glassy mornings.

Low Surf Season (June - August)

Summer is the quietest stretch for Long Beach. The dominant swell shifts to short-period SE and E windswell from the tropics and the North Atlantic ridge, which rarely packs enough punch for the south-facing beach. Average wave heights shrink to 0.9-1.0m and periods drop to 7.0-7.6s – mostly small, groveling waves. On top of that, the wind clocks around into the S and SSW quadrant over 30% of the time, creating bumpy, onshore conditions. While the occasional distant hurricane or trade-wind pulse can deliver a fun day, you'll have to work for it. If you're chasing quality, summer is best spent elsewhere or at dawn when the sea breeze is weakest.