Blackies (Newport Beach)
- Shortboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Blackies (Newport Beach) is a low-profile, fickle beach-and-point break just north of Newport Pier. It tends to be small and only “works once in a while,” so sessions are highly dependent on having the right swell and wind combination. Winter—especially January—is consistently highlighted as the best time to surf here. When conditions line up, the spot is known for soft, slow waves that peel and can suit a relaxed longboarding-style experience. Providers also emphasize that NE offshore winds are the key: the wind is described as cleanest in the morning with light offshore NE flow, which helps the wave face. The spot is typically best on low tide, and it’s most often associated with W or NW swells. Safety and access are anchored around the pier area. Hazards include pier pilings and strong lateral drift on larger swells, and the spot can draw heavy crowds. Summer surfing can also be restricted in specific zones/hours via the local “blackball” system, so plan around posted rules. For on-site logistics, there are basic beach facilities like showers and toilets, plus parking options near the pier (street meters and a paid municipal lot). Lifeguards are described as year-round and stationed at/near the pier, with emergency guidance via 911 and regional medical care available.
- Most reliable in winter (notably January)
- Low tide + W/NW swell + offshore NE winds give the best chance of clean, peeling waves
- Beginner suitability when small and winds cooperate
- Year-round lifeguard coverage near the pier
- Best in winter, particularly around January
- Favorable when you get the right low tide with a W/NW swell and offshore NE winds
- Beginner-friendly when conditions cooperate
- Year-round lifeguard presence and easy beach access with amenities nearby
- Extremely fickle/small most of the time
- Can be poor-quality and/or messy depending on swell/wind alignment
- Pier pilings and strong lateral currents on larger swells
- Summer “blackball” restrictions may limit surfing at certain hours/zones
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 5–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Winter variability; one source describes frontal-type winds.
- Reliability
- Moderate for surfing conditions; winds described as cleanest in the morning.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- January
- Shadow Zones
- The pier can offer very slight protection from southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Fickle and often small; another provider describes medium-sized waves when it does come alive.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Wind/chop variability is implied; one source lists water as chop.
- Launch
- Small — Shore launch from beach near the pier with easy access.
Through the year
Extremely busy during summer weekends; winter described as the best season for surfing.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Fickle, small-wave beach-and-point break just north of Newport Pier. Works most reliably in winter when the swell is right; conditions can be very inconsistent.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW, NW
- Swell Height
- 0.6–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed, with pier structure nearby influencing local conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest with offshore NE winds; handles light onshore better than many other Newport locations.
- Bigger Swell
- On very large swells it can close out or become very messy (noted for swells over about 2.5 meters in one provider record).
- Wave Quality
- Poor — One provider rates quality as poor overall; other notes describe it as better when winds/swell line up.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Waves described as soft/slow.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Sources describe mixed shape overall, with peeling behavior noted when conditions line up.
- Peel Speed
- Slow
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides can be quite long on the right sandbars for longboarders.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical ride length reported as medium; longboarders may get quite long rides on the right sandbars.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Blackies (Newport Beach) in the full forecast view.
Blackies (Newport Beach) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- SW219°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 269 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.2 m11s period
- Temperature
- 15–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Blackies (Newport Beach) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.7–1.2 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- Pier pilings
- Strong lateral currents on larger swells
- Heavy crowds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Year-round — Lifeguards described as year-round; emergency coverage through regional services.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Rescue availability indicated as yes.
- Emergency Info
- Dial 911 for emergency services; Newport Beach lifeguards are stationed at/near the pier nearby.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Sources describe a local longboarding community presence.
Rules of the spot
Watch out for summer “blackball” restrictions (some zones/hours may prohibit surfing).
- Summer blackball restrictions for hardboards
- Designated swimming zones
- Arrive very early for parking during summer or weekends.
- Respect the established local longboard community.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Newport Beach
- Nearest Town
- Newport Beach
- Parking
- Street parking (free after 6 PM) and a large paid municipal parking lot at the pier (McFadden Square).
- Access
- Drive north on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), turn right after Orange St onto Balboia Street (off PCH), follow until you see the Newport Pier sign; the spot is on the north side of the pier before the first jetty, near 22nd Street and Balboa Avenue on the Newport Peninsula. Located at the foot of the Newport Pier at 22nd Street.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Many vacation rentals and hotels in the Balboa Peninsula area.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous restaurants, bars, and cafes located adjacent to the pier.
- Equipment Rental:
- Several surf shops on 22nd Street and Newport Blvd offer rentals.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops provide board repair services.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Blackies (Newport Beach)?
The best overall months at Blackies (Newport Beach) are January.
Which wind directions work at Blackies (Newport Beach)?
Blackies (Newport Beach) works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is Blackies (Newport Beach) suitable for?
Blackies (Newport Beach) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.