Huntington Beach Surf Season
California, USA · part of the Huntington Beach spot guide
Huntington is a genuine two-season, year-round break. Winter, especially January, is the most consistent for clean west-northwest North Pacific groundswell, while summer and fall bring the Southern Hemisphere and eastern Pacific hurricane south swells — including the marquee XL days. Fall often has the best combination of warm water and Santa Ana offshore mornings.
Where the swell comes from
Three engines: Southern Ocean long-period south-southwest groundswell and eastern Pacific hurricanes in the warm season, and North Pacific west-northwest groundswell in winter. The biggest days come from a well-placed hurricane in the south window.
Historic swells at Huntington Beach
Hurricane Marie
A Category-5 eastern Pacific hurricane parked in the swell window drove the biggest, most consistent south swell in over two decades — Huntington reached about 15 ft in warm, glassy conditions.
US Open hurricane pulses
The late-July contest on the south side repeatedly coincides with a tropical south swell that turns the pier peaks solidly overhead.