Avalon 30th Street (Avalon)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Avalon 30th Street is a fairly exposed sandy beach break with surf that can work across tide stages. It’s described as offering both left- and right-hand waves, with “fun rights and lefts” when conditions align, and it can pick up a variety of swells given the beachfront exposure. For best surfing results, the provided guidance emphasizes a mid-tide window with a clean east or southeast swell; west winds are described as offshore and tend to make the waves cleaner. On larger northeast swells, powerful lefts can roll from the north, though very large swell can lead to heavier/lower-quality surf behavior. Safety is a major factor at this spot. Rip currents and undertow are specifically called out, and hazards also include sandbars, jetties/groynes, and summer lineups when it gets busy. Local regulations restrict where surfing is allowed, and summer operation is tied to designated zones and beach tags; follow beach patrol instructions and any hazardous-condition limits. Access and amenities are aimed at day use: the area is reachable via the beach paths around 30th Street with public restrooms reported nearby and parking described as available near 30th Street. Seasonal lifeguards are noted (with specified summer duty hours in one source), and emergency services are available via 911.
- Mid-tide tends to be the sweet spot with a clean E/SE swell.
- West winds are offshore-favoring and can improve wave cleanliness.
- On big NE swells, lefts can become powerful.
- Fairly exposed sandy beach break with left and right waves and generally fun peaks.
- Works across tide stages, with best results described on mid tide with a clean east or southeast swell.
- Seasonal lifeguards and emergency access via 911.
- Rip currents and undertow are recurring hazards; rescue is described as limited.
- Summer periods can be sometimes crowded, with local rules tied to designated zones/tags.
- Wind direction varies seasonally; onshore/incorrect wind angles can worsen chop.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NNE, NE, ENE, S, SE
- Offshore directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Sources describe varying wind directions across seasons; thermal sea breezes are common in summer in the region.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Described as light gusts.
- Best Months
- November
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Regional pattern notes sea-breeze/thermal winds build toward midday and peak in the afternoon; for this spot, wind direction varies by season in the provided data.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — A heavy onshore/chop risk is implied when east winds create heavy chop; otherwise conditions may be cleaner with offshore winds.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach entry with seasonal lifeguard stands.
Through the year
Sometimes crowded; peak in summer due to beach season. Significantly quieter in spring and autumn shoulder seasons.
Hurricane season from August to November can bring significant swell events.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is generally restricted during the summer season because the area is designated for surfing/swimming; off-season riding may be possible at more spacious nearby beaches (not detailed here as this spot’s conditions).
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Suitable for wave sailing during winter storms, though shore break can be challenging; most windsurfing activity occurs in flatter back-bay waters (not specified as part of this exact beach entry in the provided data).
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Possible in the ocean during off-season; sufficient depth once past the initial sandbars, but the shore break requires careful management.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters beyond the break
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Fairly exposed, sandy beach break with fun lefts and rights; performs well across tides, with best results on mid tide with a clean E or SE swell. On big northeast swells, powerful lefts can roll from the north.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Also described as good at all tide stages.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open, exposed beachfront setting.
- Wind Effect
- West winds provide cleaner, more offshore-favoring conditions; East winds can create heavier chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Tends to hold size; can become powerful on big NE swells, and can close out when swell exceeds about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Also described as average/good depending on conditions.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Also described as mixed/peeling depending on conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast peaks; sources note rides can be about 30–50 meters depending on sandbar formation.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides reported around 30–50 meters depending on sandbar formation.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Avalon 30th Street (Avalon) in the full forecast view.
Avalon 30th Street (Avalon) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- NE36°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2711 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.2 m7s period
- Temperature
- 7–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Avalon 30th Street (Avalon) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.5–1.2 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rip_currents
- undertow
- sandbars
- jetties
- groynes
- crowded lineups in summer
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards. One source also specifies summer duty hours.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 911. Lifeguards are on duty 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM during summer (seasonal presence).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — One source describes localism as none.
Rules of the spot
Surfing only at designated beaches; beach tags required for summer (June through Labor Day, with additional guidance that tags are required for everyone 12 and older). Follow beach patrol instructions and any directional restrictions during hazardous conditions. Lifeguards are seasonal.
- Beach closed daily 11pm–4am
- No surfing south of 13th Street during hazardous conditions
- Surfing only in designated zones during lifeguard hours
- Leash required
- Surfboards permitted only at designated beaches
- Good surf at all tide stages, but it works best on a mid tide with a clean E or SE swell.
- West winds are offshore and tend to make waves cleaner.
- Check sandbars after a major storm since the break can shift.
- Parking is easier to find early in the morning before summer crowds arrive.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Avalon
- Nearest Town
- Avalon
- Nearest Airport
- Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) (~30 miles)
- Parking
- Free parking available near 30th Street (street parking and meters may apply in peak season).
- Access
- Public beach access at 30th Street and Avalon Avenue (public restrooms reported at Community Hall at 30th & the beach and at Public Safety Building at 30th & Dune Drive).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous vacation rentals, motels, and hotels in Avalon and neighboring Stone Harbor.
- Food & Drink
- Various restaurants, cafes, and deli shops within walking distance along Dune Drive.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboard rentals available at local shops within Avalon.
- Gear Storage
- Generally limited to private rentals or surf shop lockers; no dedicated public gear storage at beach entries reported.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard ding repair available at local surf shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A high-season coastal vacation area with strong beach access and an active surf culture, with September and October described as especially favorable for wind and surf sports.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Avalon 30th Street (Avalon)?
The best overall months at Avalon 30th Street (Avalon) are September, October, November. The best wind months are November.
Which wind directions work at Avalon 30th Street (Avalon)?
Avalon 30th Street (Avalon) works with E, NNE, NE, ENE, S, SE winds. Offshore directions are W.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Avalon 30th Street (Avalon)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Avalon 30th Street (Avalon): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Avalon 30th Street (Avalon) suitable for?
Avalon 30th Street (Avalon) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.