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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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

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
Great for
Surfing shortboard
What's great
  • 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.
Heads up
  • 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.
Was this description helpful?
Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
4–17 °C
Water Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 5/4mm (winter) or drysuit + Boots, Gloves, HoodMay, Jun, Sep: 4/3mm or 3/2mm + Boots, Gloves
Crowds by Season

Summer is quiet due to lack of waves; winter can see local crowds during good swell events.

Storm/Rain Season

Late fall through winter is the primary storm season.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Beach break
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.
Forecast

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.

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

  • Rocks (including submerged rocks)
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vest

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.

Restrictions
  • Resident-only parking
  • Private property boundaries
  • Extremely limited parking access via residential areas
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

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.
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 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.