While surfing might not be the first sport that you think about during winter, it can be a great time to catch some gnarly waves. There are some major perks to surfing during the winter- the beaches are empty, and you can catch some massive waves due to winter storms brewing in the ocean during wintertime. Don’t forget to bring a wetsuit!
Black’s Beach, California
This two-mile long stretch of beach is perfect for winter surfing. You’ll find the best waves along the southern edge of the beach, just make sure to bundle up in a wetsuit as the water can be quite chilly!
Hanalei Beach, Hawaii
Check out this surfer’s paradise in Hawaii. With white sand beaches, and an incredible background of lush vegetation and mountains, you won’t want to leave! This spot has amazing waves from September to May and boasts a sturdy current and waves that break right at the beach. The water is warm year-round, but keep in mind you should be an experienced surfer to check out this break, as the current is strong and the waves are huge in wintertime.
Long Sands Beach and Higgins Beach, Maine
Obviously the water is pretty cold here in the winter, but that doesn’t stop serious surfers from checking out the waves in Maine! You won;t get super large swells here, but if you head to Long Sands Beach you’ll get to enjoy a clean bach and waves that break along a sandbar. Higgins Beach has some of the largest waves in the state-some can be up to fifteen feet! ( Just be sure to watch out for rocks!)
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Narragansett, Rhode Island, best known as the host of the world’s oldest continually running winter surf contest,(the New England Mid-Winter Surfing Championships), is the place to be for winter surfing. Enter the contest, and maybe you’ll even qualify for a spot in another contest or on a team!
Florida
While usually not known for large waves, Florida can be a great destination for winter surfing. The main swell season is from November to March. South Florida gets higher quality waves in the winter, so be sure to check out Cocoa Beach or Palm Beach for more consistent surfing than Northern Florida or Gulf surfing. Make sure to wear your wetsuit! Even though Florida has generally mild weather during the Winter, the water is still cold and it can get quite windy out on the beach.
image courtesy of popsugar.com
