Kontiki Herzelia (Netanya)

Surfing
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing longboardBeginnersAdvanced riders
What's great
  • 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.
Heads up
  • 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.
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
17–29 °C
Water Temperature
13–31 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Dec–Mar: 4/3mm full suitApr–Nov: 3/2mm or shortyJun–Sep: Rash guard or boardshorts
Crowds by Season

High during summer months and weekends throughout the year.

Storm/Rain Season

December to February

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Beach break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeash

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.

Restrictions
  • Summer swimming zones restrict access for surfing
  • No surfing in the motorized vessel channels
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Showers
Toilets
Changing rooms
Parking
Restaurant
Bar
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.