What time should I surf for dawn patrol in Huntington Beach?

Dawn patrol in Huntington Beach typically starts at first light, around 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the glassiest conditions before onshore winds develop.

Why is dawn patrol the best time to surf?

Early morning offers glassy conditions, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Water temperature is also warmer relative to air temperature at sunrise.

Dawn patrol surfing in Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach, California

Sunrise and first light times for planning your dawn patrol session.

First light in Huntington Beach means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 7 spots are worth the 5am alarm.

Sunrise

6:44 AM

First Light: 6:14 AM

Day length: 12h 26m

+2 min vs yesterday

Sunrise

6:44 AM

First light: 6:14 AM

Sunset

7:11 PM

Last light: 7:41 PM

Data from HB Cliffs · Updated daily

7-Day Sun Schedule

7-day sun schedule showing sunrise, sunset, and day length
Day	Sunrise	Sunset	Day Length
Today(Today)	6:44 AM	7:11 PM	12h 26m
Tomorrow	6:43 AM	7:12 PM	12h 29m
Wed, Apr 1	6:42 AM	7:12 PM	12h 31m
Thu, Apr 2	6:40 AM	7:13 PM	12h 33m
Fri, Apr 3	6:39 AM	7:14 PM	12h 35m

Today(Today)

Sunrise

6:44 AM

Sunset

7:11 PM

Day Length

12h 26m

Tomorrow

Sunrise

6:43 AM

Sunset

7:12 PM

Day Length

12h 29m

Wed, Apr 1

Sunrise

6:42 AM

Sunset

7:12 PM

Day Length

12h 31m

Thu, Apr 2

Sunrise

6:40 AM

Sunset

7:13 PM

Day Length

12h 33m

Fri, Apr 3

Sunrise

6:39 AM

Sunset

7:14 PM

Day Length

12h 35m

Best dawn patrol spots in Huntington Beach

Featured Beaches

7 spots

HB Cliffs

Beginner friendly

HB Cliffs is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Huntington Beach Pier

Advanced

Huntington Beach Pier is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Huntington Beach Pier Northside

Advanced

Huntington Beach Pier Northside is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Huntington Beach Pier Southside

Advanced

Huntington Beach Pier Southside is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Huntington St.

Beginner friendly

Huntington St. is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Huntington State Beach

Beginner friendly

Huntington State Beach is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

North HB Streets

Beginner friendly

North HB Streets is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

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Featured Beaches(7)

HB Cliffs

Beginner friendly

HB Cliffs is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Huntington Beach Pier

Advanced

Huntington Beach Pier is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Huntington Beach Pier Northside

Advanced

Huntington Beach Pier Northside is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Huntington Beach Pier Southside

Advanced

Huntington Beach Pier Southside is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Huntington St.

Beginner friendly

Huntington St. is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Huntington State Beach

Beginner friendly

Huntington State Beach is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

North HB Streets

Beginner friendly

North HB Streets is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Dawn patrol access guide for Huntington Beach

Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.

HB Cliffs

beach

beginner-intermediate

3.7(17)

HB Cliffs is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Huntington Beach Pier

jetty

intermediate-advanced

4.2(6)

Huntington Beach Pier is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Huntington Beach Pier Northside

jetty

intermediate-advanced

3.6(14)

Huntington Beach Pier Northside is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Huntington Beach Pier Southside

jetty

intermediate-advanced

4.1(17)

Huntington Beach Pier Southside is a jetty break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for intermediate-advanced surfers. Watch out for rip currents, rocks, strong currents, pollution.

Huntington St.

beach

beginner-intermediate

3.8(17)

Huntington St. is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Huntington State Beach

beach

beginner-intermediate

4.0(17)

Huntington State Beach is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

North HB Streets

beach

beginner-intermediate

3.9(17)

North HB Streets is a beach break in Huntington Beach, CA. It is suited for beginner-intermediate surfers. Watch out for rip currents, pollution.

Dawn patrol tips

Glassy morning conditions before onshore winds
Less crowded lineups at sunrise
East-facing beaches for sunrise views
Spots with easy parking for early arrivals

Surf Guides for Huntington Beach

Conditions

Dawn Patrol

You're here

Sunset Sessions

Evening golden hour spots

Tide Windows

Optimal tidal conditions

Water Temperature

Conditions & wetsuit guide

Style

Beginner Spots

Gentle waves for learning

Longboard Spots

Mellow waves for logging

Less Crowded

Quieter lineups & backups

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in Huntington Beach

: Dawn patrol in Huntington Beach typically starts at first light, around 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the glassiest conditions before onshore winds develop.
: Early morning offers glassy conditions, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Water temperature is also warmer relative to air temperature at sunrise.

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