Bring your boards and wetsuits, or rent some gear and take a lesson here!
The Long Beach Peninsula is a great place to learn how to surf. It can dish up some really fun beach break and there’s always whitewater for the beginner surfer. Water temperatures are typically 10 degrees warmer than anywhere in the northwest. With 28 miles of white sand beach, you never have to worry about crowds. If you are looking for company in the water, you’re most likely to find other surfers at the Seaview beach approach on 38th street.
A few things to keep in mind:
- The water here can get warm, but it is NEVER warm enough to surf without a wet suit.
- There is often a side shore current on the beach that is definitely something to be aware of (hint: don’t drift further than you’re willing to walk back up the beach).
- The surf is usually bigger than it looks from the beach, and the slope of the beach is very shallow.
- If you’re not a strong paddler, stay waist to chest deep.
- Surf with buddies.
- Be aware and know how to identify a riptide.
- The ocean can be unpredictable if you don’t have the skills and local knowledge to read the conditions.
If you are new to surfing or unfamiliar with our area, we strongly recommend that you take a lesson. Our friends at Skookum Surf Co. offer surf lessons tailored to the abilities of each student, from beginners to intermediate surfers.
If you’re already an experienced surfer and are looking to explore the area, look for east winds or under 10 knots, swell heights under 4 ft, and swell periods of 11-15 seconds when checking your favorite surf forecast website.
Remember, we encourage you to enjoy all that our area has to offer, but we always want safety to be at the forefront of all of your activities to ensure you have a fun experience on our Peninsula and stay safe in our waters!