Dawn patrol surfing in Seal Beach

Seal Beach, California

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

First light in Seal Beach means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 1 spots are worth the 5am alarm.

Sunrise

6:43 AM
First Light: 6:13 AM

Day length: 12h 29m

+3 min vs yesterday

Sunrise

6:43 AM

First light: 6:13 AM

Sunset

7:12 PM

Last light: 7:42 PM

Data from Seal Beach Pier · Updated daily

7-Day Sun Schedule

Today(Today)

Sunrise

6:43 AM

Sunset

7:12 PM

Day Length

12h 29m

Tomorrow

Sunrise

6:42 AM

Sunset

7:13 PM

Day Length

12h 31m

Thu, Apr 2

Sunrise

6:41 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 Seal Beach

Dawn patrol access guide for Seal Beach

Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.

Seal Beach Pier
beach
intermediate

Seal Beach Pier is a classic pier break at the northern edge of Orange County.

Early access

Walk from Main Street through the quaint downtown area to the pier.

Parking

Paid lots near Main Street or metered street parking. Arrive early on weekends.

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 Seal Beach

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in Seal Beach

Dawn patrol in Seal 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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