Best Time to Surf in the US (2026)
State-by-state surf season calendars with wave heights, water temperatures, wetsuit recommendations, and crowd levels. Find your ideal surf window.
California
Peak: August through February
Best monthSeptember
Wave range3-6 ft
Water temp68°F
City guides (23)
Hawaii
Peak: November through February
Best monthDecember
Wave range8-15 ft
Water temp76°F
City guides (4)
Florida
Peak: September through November
Best monthOctober
Wave range3-8 ft
Water temp80°F
City guides (1)
New Jersey
Peak: September through November
Best monthSeptember
Wave range3-8 ft
Water temp72°F
North Carolina
Peak: September through November
Best monthSeptember
Wave range3-8 ft
Water temp78°F
City guides (1)
Oregon
Peak: September through November
Best monthSeptember
Wave range4-8 ft
Water temp56°F
Washington
Peak: September through November
Best monthSeptember
Wave range4-8 ft
Water temp54°F
Texas
Peak: September through November
Best monthSeptember
Wave range3-6 ft
Water temp80°F
All City Surf Season Guides
California
- Cardiff-by-the-Sea(3 spots)
- Carlsbad(4 spots)
- Carmel-by-the-Sea(2 spots)
- Del Mar(2 spots)
- Encinitas(6 spots)
- Goleta(2 spots)
- Hermosa Beach(2 spots)
- Imperial Beach(2 spots)
- La Jolla(6 spots)
- Malibu(9 spots)
- Manhattan Beach(2 spots)
- Newport Beach(4 spots)
- Oceanside(4 spots)
- Pacifica(2 spots)
- San Diego(23 spots)
- San Francisco(4 spots)
- San Onofre(2 spots)
- Santa Barbara(3 spots)
- Santa Cruz(5 spots)
- Santa Monica(3 spots)
- Solana Beach(2 spots)
- Venice(2 spots)
- Ventura(4 spots)
Hawaii
- Haleiwa(2 spots)
- Honolulu(5 spots)
- Kailua-Kona(2 spots)
- Pupukea(2 spots)
Florida
- Melbourne Beach(2 spots)
North Carolina
- Kill Devil Hills(2 spots)
ME
- Scarborough(2 spots)
RI
- Narragansett(2 spots)
Ready to check today's conditions?
Get real-time surf forecasts, tide charts, and crowd levels for beaches across the US.