Venice Breakwater
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Venice Breakwater is an exposed beach/breakwater surf spot in the Venice area known for fairly consistent waves and for producing hollow, powerful peaks around the rock jetty. The setup is designed/formed by the breakwater, creating short, punchy sections that are often best when the tide is low. Wind and face conditions are closely tied to northeast offshore flow: East/Northeast winds are described as producing the best grooming of the wave face, while westerly/southwesterly winds tend to add chop. Surf quality is therefore most dependable when the offshore wind lines up with the incoming swell energy, and when you can time low tide. Safety is a central concern here. The spot has rocks near the impact zone and is associated with strong rip currents; crowding also increases risk during exchanges. Local rules are enforced, and multiple notes emphasize being respectful and ready to share waves because the line-up is small and competitive. Additionally, water quality can degrade after rain due to urban runoff and elevated bacteria risk—avoid entering after heavy rainfall and consider the regional pattern of 72-hour spikes following storms. Overall, it’s a classic, widely recognized Venice-area break, but it rewards prepared intermediate surfers who can manage rips, protect against rocks, and stay disciplined in the lineup.
- Exposed beach/breakwater surf with consistent peaks
- Low tide improves wave shape
- Northeast offshore winds help groom the face
- Rocks and rip currents—plan for safety
- Fairly consistent, exposed beach/breakwater surf with hollow/powerful options
- Best wave shape is reliably tied to low tide
- Northeast winds can groom the face when offshore
- Rocks nearby and strong rip currents
- Can be crowded and competitive with moderate localism
- Pollution/bacteria risk after heavy rainfall
- Waves can close out on very large swells
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 5–12 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze behavior is noted seasonally, and northeast winds are best for grooming the surf face.
- Reliability
- low (one provider), with much higher clean/wind statistics reported for January
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — One provider notes light gusts.
- Best Months
- January
- Shadow Zones
- Immediate area behind the breakwater structure can have slight turbulence.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with a sandbar stabilized by the rock jetty.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Providers describe small to medium swell/conditions; large swell can still be challenging.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — One provider rates it as chop; another notes chop when winds are from the west/southwest.
- Launch
- Small — Sandy beach entry directly adjacent to the rock breakwater.
Through the year
Highest in summer months and weekend mornings year-round.
December through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach/breakwater break with fairly consistent surf shaped by a rock breakwater, forming a small, competitive lineup with peaks that can work on multiple swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW
- Swell Height
- 0.6–1.8 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Both providers emphasize low tide for best wave shape.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open exposure with a semi-sheltered feel from the breakwater’s shaping, but overall conditions remain exposed.
- Wind Effect
- East/Northeast offshore winds are best for grooming the face; West/Southwest winds create chop.
- Bigger Swell
- On very large swells it can close out, though the breakwater helps maintain some shape.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality is described as good; one provider rates it as good overall.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — One source describes hollow/powerful waves; another describes the power as moderate—conditions vary.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow and powerful is noted; another provider describes peeling, and behavior can vary by swell.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling waves with medium peel speed are described.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short generally; sources note <50m most of the time, and 50–150m on good days.
- Ride Length Details
- Relatively short waves; punchier sections near the rocks are noted, with longer rides possible on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Venice Breakwater in the full forecast view.
Venice Breakwater wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–8 ktsGusts 14 kts
- Direction
- SW224°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.0 m12s period
- Temperature
- 14–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Venice Breakwater is forecast for daytime winds of 1–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 14 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.6–1.0 m with a period of about 12s. 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
- Strong rip currents
- Rip currents
- Heavy crowds
- Pollution after rainfall
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are described as staffed during daylight hours; regional context indicates year-round professional coverage.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — One provider explicitly describes rescue availability as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguard towers are staffed during daylight hours; nearest hospital is Marina Del Rey Hospital. Emergency services: 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local rules/etiquette are described as strictly enforced.
Rules of the spot
Be respectful to locals; share waves. Standard etiquette is strictly enforced by locals, and surfing is restricted to designated areas.
- No kitesurfing or windsurfing in the main surfing zones.
- Black ball flags may restrict surfing during peak summer swimming hours.
- Avoid surfing after heavy rain (high bacteria/pollution risk).
- Wait for low tide for the best wave shape.
- Be ready to share waves and stay respectful—this line-up is small and can be competitive.
- Avoid on weekends if you’re sensitive to crowding/localism.
- Be aware that currents can be strong and board damage is common.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Los Angeles
- Nearest Town
- Venice
- Parking
- Parking is available near Venice Blvd beach access; a large paid public parking lot at the end of Venice Blvd is noted, while street parking is limited and regulated.
- Access
- Drive down Venice Blvd from Marina Del Rey to the beach; short 5–15 min walk. Public access via the Venice Boardwalk and sandy beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and rentals in Venice and Santa Monica.
- Food & Drink
- Extensive options along the Venice Boardwalk and nearby Abbot Kinney Blvd.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at multiple surf shops along the boardwalk.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops offer board repair services.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Historic pier featuring an amusement park, aquarium, and views of the coastline.
Famous promenade known for its street performers, artists, and vibrant local character.
A 22-mile paved path (The Strand) connecting the beach cities for cycling and skating.
Public facility with a pool, playground, and splash pad.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Venice Breakwater?
The best overall months at Venice Breakwater are January.
Which wind directions work at Venice Breakwater?
Venice Breakwater works with NE, E winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What skill level is Venice Breakwater suitable for?
Venice Breakwater suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.