Tenth Street Avalon
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Tenth Street Avalon is an exposed beach/jetty surfing spot where sandbar shape is influenced by rock jetty structures. The setup is typically associated with average surf most of the time, but it can occasionally produce noticeably better wave form and longer lines when waves break farther outside with proper sandbar formation. Performance is described as a beach break assisted by the jetty that helps groom the sandbars, with waves commonly running both directions. West or Northwest winds are favored for cleaner offshore conditions, while cross-offshore situations can occur in forecasts and may reduce the quality of the surf. Safety is a key part of the spot plan. Jellyfish are specifically listed as a hazard, and rip currents are reported near the rock jetties, with additional risk from submerged jetty rocks. During the summer season, surfing is regulated on designated beaches and surfers are expected to stay within the marked flags at 10th Street. Seasonally, winter conditions are highlighted as the best general time to surf, with cold-water gear required. The spot is sometimes crowded depending on the time of year, and early mornings are noted as a strategy to reduce crowd pressure during the summer period.
- Jetty-stabilized sandbar grooming
- Offshore-wind windows for cleaner surf
- Seasonal regulation of designated surfing area during summer lifeguard hours
- Jetty-assisted sandbar grooming can support more reliable wave shape than a purely open beach break.
- Good match for offshore wind windows (notably West/Northwest) when conditions line up.
- Popular local legal surfing location during regulated summer hours.
- Seasonal hazards include jellyfish and rip-current risk near jetty areas.
- Surf can be only average and may work “once in a while” depending on sandbar setup.
- Summer access and surfing may be restricted to designated areas during lifeguard hours.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WNW, SW
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal systems influence spring/fall conditions; also commonly offshore-wind windows for clean surf.
- Reliability
- average
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Shadow Zones
- Buildings along the beach can cause some turbulence in very light offshore winds.
- Thermal Window
- A summer afternoon thermal/sea-breeze pattern is common across the Sea Isle City–Avalon corridor, but the spot-level record here doesn’t quantify a specific afternoon peak for this exact launch.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium
- Chop Level
- Light chop
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach entry from the 10th Street access path; jetty presence influences the launch zone.
Through the year
Quiet during winter months; very crowded during summer weekends.
Hurricane season peaks in September and October; Nor'easters are common in winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Tenth Street is an exposed Avalon beach-and-jetty surf spot. A rock jetty helps groom sandbars, supporting sandbar formation that can improve wave shape; otherwise surf is often average and works best on the days sandbars set up.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach/jetty setting.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore winds; West or Northwest winds provide cleaner, offshore conditions. Cross-offshore conditions were also reported in forecast snippets.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large, long-period swells without proper sandbar formation.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Usually average, with better form possible on occasion when waves break more outside.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Also described as having a mixed wave shape on average days.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Can be short and punchy on typical days; occasionally longer lines form when waves break more outside.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–70 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides are short and punchy; can offer longer lines on better days when the waves break more outside. Typical ride lengths cited as approximately 30–70 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Tenth Street Avalon in the full forecast view.
Tenth Street Avalon wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- NE37°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2711 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.1 m7s period
- Temperature
- 7–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Tenth Street Avalon is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.4–1.1 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
- Jellyfish
- Jetty / submerged jetty rocks
- Rip currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard stands are present (Memorial Day to Labor Day).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited overall, with seasonal beach patrols.
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguard stands are present seasonally (Memorial Day to Labor Day). Emergency number: 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Follow the designated surfing beach rules during summer lifeguard hours and stay within the marked flags at 10th Street.
- Avalon strictly enforces designated surfing beaches during summer season (typically 10 AM to 5 PM).
- Beach access/tag requirements may apply during summer lifeguard hours.
- Check the sandbar status after winter storms as the jetty can shift sand significantly.
- Early mornings before lifeguards go on duty are popular to avoid summer crowds.
- Summer conditions can include jellyfish; use appropriate cold-water gear and keep situational awareness around marine life.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Atlantic City
- Nearest Town
- Avalon
- Nearest Airport
- Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) (~30 miles) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) (~80–90 miles).
- Parking
- Street parking is available along 10th Street and Dune Drive, though it can be difficult to find during peak summer weekends.
- Public Transport
- NJ Transit bus service connects the barrier islands to regional hubs, though a car is recommended for transporting gear between beaches.
- Access
- Public beach access path located at the end of 10th Street.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous vacation rentals and small hotels are located within Avalon and nearby Stone Harbor.
- Food & Drink
- Various cafes and restaurants are located a few blocks inland along Dune Drive.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at local surf shops in the Avalon and Stone Harbor area.
- Gear Storage
- Generally limited to private rentals or surf shop lockers; no public dedicated gear storage at beach entries reported.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops offer basic surfboard and wetsuit repair services.
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 Tenth Street Avalon?
The best overall months at Tenth Street Avalon are January, February, March, November.
Which wind directions work at Tenth Street Avalon?
Tenth Street Avalon works with W, WNW, SW winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW.
What skill level is Tenth Street Avalon suitable for?
Tenth Street Avalon suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.