Hermosa Beach - surf spot statistics

Hermosa Beach offers relatively consistent swell conditions year-round, with ground swells dominating most months, particularly from June through September, where they account for 79-82% of the swell activity. The mean swell size hovers between 0.7m and 0.9m, peaking in winter (November to February) with slightly larger waves. However, wind conditions are often unfavorable, with the highest likelihood of bad winds occurring from April to September, when onshore winds prevail 74-81% of the time. The best balance between swell consistency and manageable winds appears in late fall and early winter (October to December), where ground swells remain solid (63-77%), and wind conditions improve slightly with good winds reaching 29-34%. January and February also see decent ground swells (72-73%) but still suffer from higher bad wind probabilities (63-65%). Summer months (June-August) bring the cleanest ground swell dominance (79-81%) but are plagued by poor wind conditions (79-81% bad winds), making the waves choppy and less ideal. For surfers prioritizing quality, late fall and early winter offer the most promising combination of reliable swell and slightly better wind odds, though patience for favorable wind days is key.

In August, Hermosa Beach typically offers small but consistent surf, with an average swell height of 0.7m and a solid period of 14.1s, indicating long-period energy that can produce clean and well-shaped waves when conditions align. The majority of swells come from the SSW and SW directions (70-80% of the time), which work best for this beach, delivering waves in the 0.5-1m range most frequently. Larger days (1-1.5m) are rare but possible from the SW and W, while swells over 1.5m are almost nonexistent. Wind conditions are a mixed bag—only 20% of the time are they ideal for surfing (light offshore or glassy), while onshore winds (mostly WSW, SW, and S) frequently create choppy or textured conditions, particularly in the afternoons. Mornings tend to be cleaner, with lighter winds before the typical seabreeze sets in. Overall, August is a decent month for surfers who don’t mind smaller waves, with the best sessions likely occurring during early mornings when wind and swell cooperate. Expect mostly knee-to-waist-high waves, with occasional chest-high sets on the better SW swells.