Kontiki Herzelia (Netanya)
- Longboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kontiki Herzelia is a breakwater-based surf spot in Netanya that’s generally more reliable in winter than in other seasons, but it still doesn’t run very often. When conditions line up, it can offer beginner-friendly surf shaped by the breakwaters. For the best results, plan around a West to West-northwest swell paired with east to east-southeast offshore wind. East wind is described as providing offshore conditions that help groom the waves, while the breakwaters maintain some structure—though heavy winter storms can still cause the lineup to close out or turn messy. The wave environment is described as beach-break style with semi-sheltered character from the breakwaters. Rides tend to be short and punchy, and wave quality is generally average; the exact look depends on sandbar formation near the breakwaters. Access is straightforward from the Netanya promenade, with convenient facilities such as showers, toilets, and changing rooms, plus dining and rentals through local surf infrastructure. Safety-wise, watch for hazards around artificial breakwaters and submerged rocks near groynes, and be mindful of rip currents that can form near breakwater openings during larger swells. Rescue availability is limited, and lifeguard presence is seasonal (with additional coverage described for summer weekends).
- Best season is winter, with strong potential during December to March storm activity
- Breakwaters help shape swell into more manageable peaks
- East wind/offshore setup is key for grooming
- Winter tends to be the best time for surf, with consistent conditions when the spot is running.
- Breakwaters help shape the Mediterranean swell into more manageable peaks.
- Beginner-friendly environment on suitable days, with supportive infrastructure and facilities.
- The breakwater break does not work very often (low session frequency).
- Crowds can be an issue on busy weekend periods.
- During heavy winter storms, waves can close out or get messy.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ESE
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–15 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — East to east-southeast offshore/onshore setup varies by time and conditions; regional pattern is Mediterranean sea breeze.
- Reliability
- fair
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs of Netanya can create a wind shadow for light easterly winds right at the shoreline.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with breakwaters/groynes shaping the break.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Wave size is described as small.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with breakwaters on either side creating a protected bay area.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
High during summer months and weekends throughout the year.
December to February
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed breakwater surf break that does not work very often. Winter is the optimal season; best results come with a West-northwest swell and east-southeast/east offshore wind. Breakwaters help manage Mediterranean swell into more usable peaks, supporting beginner-friendly conditions when it’s running.
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Breakwaters provide partial shelter while remaining generally exposed at this breakwater location.
- Wind Effect
- East wind provides offshore conditions that groom the waves.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out or become messy during heavy winter storms, though breakwaters help maintain some structure.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Typically average quality; structure can improve near breakwaters but heavy winter storms may degrade it.
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Breakwaters can shape swells into softer, manageable peaks; can still turn messy in heavy storms.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Rides are typically short and punchy, with wave shape depending on sandbar formation near the breakwaters.
- Ride Length Details
- Short, punchy rides depending on sandbar formation near the breakwaters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kontiki Herzelia (Netanya) in the full forecast view.
Kontiki Herzelia (Netanya) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–12 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- WNW288°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 3012 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.7 m5s period
- Temperature
- 19–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kontiki Herzelia (Netanya) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Friday, October 30 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.4–1.7 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- Artificial breakwaters
- Submerged rocks near the groynes
- Crowds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard stations are active during the summer season and weekends.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited; seasonal lifeguards operate on declared beaches from April to October.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services: 100 (Police) and 101 (Ambulance). Nearest major medical facility is Laniado Hospital in Netanya.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Surfing is restricted to designated areas; stay clear of swimmers in the marked swimming zones. Do not surf in motorized vessel channels.
- Summer swimming zones restrict access for surfing
- No surfing in the motorized vessel channels
- Best waves occur during the winter storm season from December to March.
- Early morning often provides the cleanest conditions before the sea breeze kicks in.
- Be extra cautious around breakwater openings during larger swells, where rip currents can form.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Netanya
- Nearest Town
- Netanya
- Nearest Airport
- Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)
- Parking
- Several paid parking lots are available along the promenade and near Sironit Beach.
- Public Transport
- Well-connected by bus and rail services (including Israel Railways stations in Netanya) with connections from Tel Aviv and Haifa.
- Access
- Easily accessible via the Netanya promenade; there is a beach elevator nearby for access from the cliff top.
- Local Language
- Hebrew
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and holiday apartments are located directly above the beach on the Netanya coastline.
- Food & Drink
- Various beach restaurants and cafes are located on the sand and along the promenade.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available through local surf infrastructure; surfboards and wetsuits are available for rent at the local surf school.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is described as limited and not universally provided across all public beaches; availability depends on specific clubs and schools.
- Gear Repair
- Specialized repair services for kites and sails are described as available through local shops and schools in Netanya.
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 Kontiki Herzelia (Netanya)?
The best overall months at Kontiki Herzelia (Netanya) are December, January, February. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Kontiki Herzelia (Netanya)?
Kontiki Herzelia (Netanya) works with ESE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, NE.
What skill level is Kontiki Herzelia (Netanya) suitable for?
Kontiki Herzelia (Netanya) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.