Huntington Beach, known as Surf City USA, is a consistent beach break on either side of its famous pier. It picks up both south and west swells, so there is something rideable almost every day, from mellow longboard waves to punchy, crowded peaks. Home of the US Open of Surfing, the WSL Challenger Series and a WSL Longboard Tour stop, it suits all levels away from the pier. Mornings with light northeasterly winds are cleanest.
🌡️ ~19.2°C now · a 2mm spring suit / shorty
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Advanced: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, Dec
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New spots, best-month tips and the local crews at Huntington Beach Pier. Tag us in your clips and we'll share them.
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Advanced: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, Dec
All-time average wind & swell
Dashed line marks Huntington Beach Pier's known offshore direction. Bright arrow is the all-time average swell direction, colored arrow is the all-time average wind direction at 8 km/h — hover or tap either arrow for exact values.
Monthly avg wave height (ft)
Monthly avg wind speed (km/h)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 15° | 14° | 14° | 15° | 17° | 19° | 20° | 21° | 21° | 19° | 17° | 17° |
Averages from 3 years of daily wave, wind and water temperature data — what a typical year looks like, not a forecast.
Waves average 3.8 ft (1.2 m), with cross-offshore winds around 8 km/h from the SE. Water is ~15°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 3.8 ft (1.2 m), with onshore winds around 9 km/h from the S. Water is ~14°C: a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 3.7 ft (1.1 m), with onshore winds around 9 km/h from the S. Water is ~14°C: a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 3.2 ft (1.0 m), with onshore winds around 9 km/h from the SW. Water is ~15°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 3.1 ft (0.9 m), with onshore winds around 10 km/h from the SW. Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for intermediates and advanced surfers.
Waves average 2.9 ft (0.9 m), with onshore winds around 9 km/h from the SW. Water is ~19°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 2.7 ft (0.8 m), with onshore winds around 9 km/h from the S. Water is ~20°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 2.7 ft (0.8 m), with onshore winds around 9 km/h from the S. Water is ~21°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 2.7 ft (0.8 m), with onshore winds around 8 km/h from the S. Water is ~21°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 3.0 ft (0.9 m), with light winds (~7 km/h). Water is ~19°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 3.0 ft (0.9 m), with light winds (~7 km/h). Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for intermediates and advanced surfers.
Waves average 3.4 ft (1.0 m), with light winds (~5 km/h). Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for advanced surfers.
For intermediates: May–Nov. For advanced surfers: Nov–May. The biggest waves come in February, averaging 3.8 ft (1.2 m), and the smallest in July, at 2.7 ft (0.8 m).
It ranges from ~14°C in March to ~21°C in August, averaged over 3 years of daily readings.
In March (~14°C): a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended. In August (~21°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty.
Not really: Huntington Beach Pier is best suited to intermediate and advanced surfers.
The nearest airport is LAX, and the nearest town is Huntington Beach, California.
