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.

February at Hermosa Beach delivers fairly consistent surf with an average swell height of 0.9m and a solid period of 13.1s, indicating quality groundswell energy. The predominant swell direction is from the west, contributing the largest share of rideable waves—particularly in the 0.5-2.5m range, with the majority falling between 1-1.5m. WSW and SW swells also provide decent contributions, though smaller in size. Wind conditions are favorable for surfing 35% of the time, with lighter winds (0-20kph) being the most common. Offshore or cross-offshore winds from the north and northeast occur occasionally but are outweighed by onshore winds from the west and southwest, which can create choppier conditions. Overall, expect manageable waves with good shape when winds cooperate, best suited for intermediate to advanced surfers on larger days (1.5m+), while smaller days offer more forgiving conditions for less experienced riders.