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.

October at Hermosa Beach offers generally small but rideable waves, with a dominant swell from the southwest and west, making it suitable for surfers comfortable with smaller conditions. The average swell height is 0.7m with a long-period swell of 14.2s, which helps maintain energy and shape despite the modest size. The majority of waves fall in the 0.5-1m range (24-33% from SW and SSW directions), with occasional larger sets up to 1.5-2m from the W direction. Wind conditions are favorable for surfing 29% of the time, typically lighter offshore or cross-shore breezes from the NNE to NE early in the day, though stronger onshore winds (10-20kph) from WSW to W can create choppier conditions in the afternoons. Expect the most consistent sessions when winds are below 10kph or from an easterly quadrant. This is a month for grovelers or longboarders on smaller days, with occasional punchier W swells providing more performance-friendly waves.