The Surf Window

Zhoushan

Zhejiang, China

Beach breakIntermediate

In Zhejiang province south of Shanghai, the Zhoushan archipelago sits on China's East China Sea coast where typhoon swells deliver some of the country's most powerful and least-surfed waves to an island chain of extraordinary Buddhist pilgrimage significance.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size–E 1.5–3m at 12–16s

Wind

SW

Light to W under 15 knots

Tide

Mid tide

LowMidHigh

Season

Sep–Nov

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Beach and reef break

Bottom

Sand and rock

Shape

Powerful beach peaks and reef sections

Length

50–100m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Advanced surfers
  • •Why: Powerful typhoon swells and cold winter water require experience

Hazards

  • •Cold water in winter, 8–15°C
  • •Typhoon swells can arrive with dangerous suddenness
  • •Commercial shipping traffic in the surrounding waters

Local Tips

  • •Putuo Mountain on Putuo Island is one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, extraordinary temples
  • •The ferry from Ningbo takes 1 hour, most convenient access
  • •This is frontier surfing in China, expect to be among the first to explore many spots

Location

Map showing the location of Zhoushan in Zhejiang, China

29.9873, 122.2030