The Surf Window

Virginia Beach

Virginia, USA

Beach breakBeginner

America's largest resort city has a long, wide beach break that is the entry point to East Coast surfing for millions, Virginia Beach is consistent, accessible, and has a proud mid-Atlantic surf heritage.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalE (90°)
WindowNNE–SSE (30°–150°)

Wind

NW

Offshore

Tide

mid tide

LowMidHigh

Season

October

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Both

Bottom

Sand

Shape

Gentle to moderate beach break, wide, sandy beach with forgiving waves, great for beginners

Length

20–60m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Beginner
  • •Why: Gentle, forgiving beach break in warm summer water with extensive surf school infrastructure.

Hazards

  • •Crowds, millions of tourists visit Virginia Beach each summer
  • •Shore pound on nor'easter swells
  • •Jellyfish in summer months

Local Tips

  • •The strip of surf shops along Atlantic Avenue is one of the densest concentrations of surf retail in the East Coast.
  • •The Military Aviation Museum near Virginia Beach has an extraordinary collection of WWI and WWII aircraft, worth visiting between swells.

Location

Map showing the location of Virginia Beach in Virginia, USA

36.8497, -75.9761