Hennemans (Scripps Pier)

Hennemans (Scripps Pier) is an exposed reef break in the Del Mar / La Jolla coastline area that only works once in a while. It’s centered on a reef bottom with rocks (and kelp noted), and it can produce both left and right-hand waves. Surf conditions are described as best around mid tide, with strong preference for the mid-to-high tide range in some accounts. The break is considered intermediate-suitable, and the wave shape is commonly described as peeling, offering manageable rides when the angle and tide line up. Wave size and working swell range are typically modest, with an optimal swell-height window given around 0.5–1.5 meters and best swell from the west/northwest. When swells get larger (noted above about 2 meters), the wave tends to close out or become messy. Safety is a key consideration: expect rocks/kelp, shallow areas on the reef at the wrong tide, and strong rip currents. Rescue availability is limited, with seasonal lifeguards. For safer access to the usable line, it’s advised to wait for mid-tide and to respect the local lineup.