Preston (Beverly)
- Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Preston (Beverly) is a sheltered beach break on the Massachusetts North Shore that can offer consistent surf when groundswells line up—while also tending to go mostly flat during summer. It produces both left and right waves, and it’s described as more protected than many of the more exposed North Shore breaks. For surf conditions, the most favorable swell direction is reported as east-northeast (with additional regional descriptions pointing to east/southeast groundswells). Northwest winds are typically offshore here, which helps keep conditions cleaner when it’s working. Best results are reported around low tide. Safety is a major consideration at this spot: rocks are the key hazard, including submerged rocks in the lineup. Cold water is also emphasized year-round, and you should plan for a proper winter wetsuit setup with hood, gloves, and boots despite sun exposure. Access can be challenging because the launch is reached primarily through residential areas, with resident-only parking rules and private-property boundaries. When conditions are good, the spot can draw local crowds, so arriving prepared and respecting posted parking guidance matters.
- Sheltered beach break; more protected than exposed North Shore spots
- Offshore northwest winds can help create cleaner surf
- Lefts and rights when conditions align
- Low tide is typically best
- Sheltered beach break with generally consistent surf in the colder months.
- Works best with east-northeast groundswells and offshore northwest winds.
- Low tide is typically the most favorable.
- Submerged and on-beach rocks make this spot hazardous.
- Parking and access can be difficult due to resident-only restrictions and private boundaries.
- Water stays very cold year-round, requiring a thick wetsuit setup.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Reliability
- Moderate in winter storm cycles; low in summer.
- Shadow Zones
- The surrounding topography can shelter the spot from certain directions and help groom conditions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Summer can be mostly flat; reported wave size is small.
- Launch
- Small — Sheltered beach launch between rocky sections.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty is reported as moderate, tied to access constraints and rocky sections.
Through the year
Summer is quiet due to lack of waves; winter can see local crowds during good swell events.
Late fall through winter is the primary storm season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A sheltered beach break with consistent surf in the colder months; summer is often mostly flat. Offers both left and right waves when it works, with conditions best on east-northeast groundswells and low tide.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- ENE, E, ESE, NE
- Optimal Tide
- Low
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered from the open-coast exposure compared with more exposed nearby North Shore options.
- Wind Effect
- Northwest winds are offshore and provide the cleanest conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold some size due to its sheltered nature, but it generally works best on moderate swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Works best on moderate swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides are reported.
- Ride Length Details
- Short rides are reported.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Preston (Beverly) in the full forecast view.
Preston (Beverly) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- WSW256°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2910 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–1.1 m7s period
- Temperature
- 1–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Preston (Beverly) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.2–1.1 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
- Rocks (including submerged rocks)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No on-site rescue availability is reported for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, dial 911. Nearest major medical facility: Beverly Hospital (a few miles inland).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local parking restrictions and resident-only access contribute to moderate localism.
Rules of the spot
Respect local parking regulations; some areas are restricted to residents with stickers.
- Resident-only parking
- Private property boundaries
- Extremely limited parking access via residential areas
- Best surf is typically found during winter and early spring.
- Check local parking signs carefully to avoid ticketing or towing.
- Expect cold water year-round and protect with a proper winter wetsuit setup.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Beverly
- Nearest Town
- Beverly
- Parking
- Extremely limited; many nearby streets are resident-only or require a local permit, especially during peak seasons.
- Access
- Access is primarily through residential areas; parking is the main challenge.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Accommodation is available in Beverly or nearby areas such as Salem.
- Food & Drink
- Various options available in the town of Beverly.
- Equipment Rental:
- Wind-sports rentals are extremely limited in the area; riders are generally expected to bring their own equipment.
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 Preston (Beverly)?
The best overall months at Preston (Beverly) are January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Preston (Beverly)?
Preston (Beverly) works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Preston (Beverly) suitable for?
Preston (Beverly) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.