Long Beach Peninsula Surf Forecast and Surf Reports (Washington, USA) (2024)

FAQs

How big are waves in Long Beach, WA? ›

A surf report, however, is not a 100 percent accurate maritime weather forecast tool. Instead, surf reports represent interpretations of data collected over time from a given surf spot, and so each surf report site will have tuned the weather algorithms it uses to make sense of its prevailing conditions.

The Long Beach Peninsula is a great place to learn how to surf, it can dish up some really fun beach break and there's always whitewater for the beginner surfer. Water temps are typically 10 degrees warmer than anywhere else in the area. Expect water temps of 60° F + July - September.

Minimal (ankle high or less) surf. Choppy, strong sideshore current with WSW winds 20-25mph in the morning shifting W for the afternoon.

1. Nazaré, Portugal. Nazaré, Portugal is famous for its record-breaking waves, particularly in the big wave surfing community. The waves at Nazaré are some of the biggest and most powerful in the world, attracting surfers from all over to tackle these massive swells.

This results in the front of the wave becoming steeper than the back of the wave. Eventually, the crest topples over and the wave “breaks.” Waves break in water that has a depth equal to about 1.3 times the wave height. Or, waves break when depth = 1.3 × wave height.

Generally speaking the perfect size for beginners is 1 to 2ft. For intermediates: 2-4ft waves are best as it gives you more face of the wave to progress your skills on. You should keep an eye on the 'Swell Period', because it's a lot more indicative of the actual wave size (see the next point).

1 ft = Ankle-high. 2 ft = Knee-high. 3ft = Waist-high. 4ft = Chest-high.

Westport, Washington's original surf town on the Pacific Ocean, has the best infrastructure — from a reliable surf break to surf shops, surf schools and a surf-themed hotel — for first timers to learn the sport and absorb Pacific Northwest surf culture.

Can you swim in the ocean at Long Beach WA? ›

Swimming in the ocean on the Long Beach Peninsula is not advised. Washington's coastal parks are dynamic and beautiful.

Not necessarily — it depends on where you plan to surf. High tides are great if you're headed towards a reef break. The only exception is if it's near a bluff, in which case the waves rarely break before hitting land. Conversely, medium to low tides are better if you're surfing near a beach break.

Because Mother's Beach is located inside Alamitos Bay, just below Marine Stadium, the water is protected from the motion of the open ocean, providing consistently calm conditions for the designated swim areas.

The surf break was destroyed as the population boomed and development took over, with sand filling in the surf zone through the years and a 2.2-mile breakwater built in 1949 blocked swells and waves. But still, in its short life, Long Beach's surf scene was something for the history books.

The ocean's tide patterns occur as the earth experiences the push-pull gravitational effect of the sun and moon. As you might have guessed, high tide occurs when the water is at peak height, which happens twice a day on most coasts. Since the water is deeper at high tide, you usually find bigger, more powerful waves.

What is Big Wave Surfing? For it to be considered big wave surfing, a surfer must tackle a wave of at least 20 feet (6.2 metres) high. Speeds of around 80km/h (50mph) are common, and wipeouts will see bodies skip along the water's surface, like pebbles skimmed on a lake.

Waves and swells

Plus, if any frontal storms are brewing in the Pacific, the earth's rotation will send them traveling from west to east. This means that the west coast on any continent tends to get the biggest swells.

Description. Ocean waves are caused by wind blowing over the waters surface. They can travel thousands of miles and range in size from tiny wavelets to over 100 feet tall.

Big breaking waves that tower over five feet high are too dangerous for most bathers and swimmers, but even relatively small waves (e.g., 2-3 feet) that seem innocuous can generate dangerous rip currents.