Venice Beach - surf spot statistics

Venice Beach, USA, is primarily a beach break that relies on ground swells for good surf conditions, with wind swells playing a minor role. The best months for surfing are from April to September when ground swell frequencies are highest, peaking in June at 81%. During this period, the likelihood of no swell drops significantly, making consistent waves more probable. However, wind conditions are often unfavorable year-round, with good wind days rarely exceeding 28% (mostly in winter and early spring). The worst onshore winds occur in summer, particularly June through August, when bad wind conditions reach 80% or higher. Swell size averages a modest 0.6–0.7m, meaning Venice Beach is best suited for beginners or longboarders on smaller days, while more experienced surfers may find rare clean, larger swells in late winter or early spring when ground swell and wind conditions align slightly better. November through March sees a drop in ground swells and higher chances of no swell, but winter months can occasionally produce decent sessions if winds cooperate. Overall, the most reliable surf window is late spring to early fall, though wind interference remains a significant limiting factor.

May at Venice Beach offers generally small but clean surf, with an average swell height of 0.7m and a solid period of 14.7s, suggesting some decent energy despite the modest size. The predominant swell directions are SSW and SW, contributing to 37.47% and 31.71% of waves in the 0.5-1m range, respectively, with occasional bigger sets (1.5-2m) from WSW. Wind conditions are favorable for surfing only 25% of the time, with lighter winds (0-20kph) most common from S, SSW, and SW, though stronger winds (20-30kph) occasionally occur from WSW and SW, which may create chop. Expect mostly knee- to waist-high waves, with slightly larger peaks on WSW swells. The consistency is moderate, ideal for longboarding or relaxed sessions, though advanced surfers may find it lacking in power. Early mornings typically offer the cleanest conditions before winds pick up.