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.

November at Venice Beach typically offers small to moderate surf conditions with an average swell height of 0.6m and a favorable swell period of 14.2s, indicating clean, well-spaced waves when conditions align. The predominant swell direction is SW to WSW, with the majority of waves falling in the 0.5-1m range (combining SSW, SW, and WSW directions). Larger waves (1.5m+) are rare but possible, mostly from WSW. Wind conditions are crucial—only 25% of the time are they ideal for surfing, with the most common unfavorable winds coming from NNE to W, often in the 10-20kph range, which can create chop. Offshore or light winds (0-10kph) are more typical from ENE to SE, but these directions are less frequent. Overall, expect smaller, rideable waves with occasional mid-sized sets, but wind quality plays a big role—wait for those lighter W/SW or variable offshore days for the best sessions.