Best Time to Surf Hermosa Beach (2026)
Hermosa Beach, California — Month-by-month surf guide
0
Fair
Surfing in March
March
1 of 3 beaches are in peak season right now. Expect 3-6 ft waves and 57°F water. Peak month: November.
Surf Score by Month
Score reflects overall surf quality each month — combining peak season activity, water temperature, and crowd levels.
Monthly Breakdown
January
Peak0
Waves4-8 ft
Water temp56°F
Wetsuit4/3mm
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1
Big NW swells, uncrowded lineups
February
Peak0
Waves4-8 ft
Water temp56°F
Wetsuit4/3mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking1
Consistent NW groundswells
March
0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp57°F
Wetsuit4/3mm
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1
Transitional swells, spring breaks
April
0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp58°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsLow
Beaches peaking0
Small clean days, longboarding
May
0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp60°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking0
Glassy mornings, south swell teasers
June
0
Waves2-4 ft
Water temp63°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking1
June gloom glass, early south swells
July
0
Waves2-5 ft
Water temp66°F
Wetsuitspring suit
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking0
Summer south swells, warm water
August
Peak0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp68°F
Wetsuitspring suit
CrowdsHigh
Beaches peaking0
Peak south swells, warm water
September
Peak0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp68°F
Wetsuitspring suit
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1
South swells + early NW, warm water
October
Peak0
Waves3-6 ft
Water temp66°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking2
Combo swells, Santa Ana offshore winds
November
Peak0
Waves4-8 ft
Water temp62°F
Wetsuit3/2mm
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking2
First big NW swells, Santa Anas
December
Peak0
Waves4-10 ft
Water temp58°F
Wetsuit4/3mm
CrowdsModerate
Beaches peaking1
Big NW groundswells, holiday crowds
Dawn Patrol vs Afternoon Sessions
Dawn Patrol
- Typically glassier conditions before onshore winds build
- Smaller crowds, especially on weekdays
- Water temps at their coolest — plan your wetsuit for the low end (56°F in winter)
- Best for beach breaks and exposed reef setups in Hermosa Beach
Afternoon Sessions
- Onshore winds can create chop, but swell is often more consistent
- Higher crowds on popular beaches, especially weekends
- Water warms through the day — upper end (68°F in summer)
- Sunset sessions can be magic when winds die down
Top Surf Spots in Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach Pier
intermediatehigh
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Hermosa Beach South
lower-intermediatemedium
Peak: Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov