Best time to surf in United States
November to February for intermediate surfers, August to March for beginners, and February for the biggest waves. Month by month below, from 2 years of hourly wave and wind model data at 277 spots. Updated 3 November 2026.
| Month | Good days (intermediate) | Beginner days | Good days (advanced) | Typical waves | Water | Best region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 | 10 | 8 | 1–1.4 m | 14 °C | California (Santa Cruz County) |
| February | 6 | 10 | 6 | 1–1.6 m | 14 °C | California (Santa Cruz County) |
| March | 2 | 8 | 2 | 1–1.4 m | 15 °C | Hawaii (Kauai) |
| April | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0.9–1.3 m | 17 °C | Hawaii (Oahu) |
| May | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0.9–1.3 m | 18 °C | Hawaii (Oahu) |
| June | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0.9–1.3 m | 21 °C | Hawaii (Oahu) |
| July | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0.8–1.2 m | 22 °C | Hawaii (Oahu) |
| August | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1–1.4 m | 23 °C | Hawaii (Oahu) |
| September | 2 | 9 | 1 | 1–1.4 m | 23 °C | California (San Mateo County) |
| October | 3 | 9 | 2 | 1–1.4 m | 20 °C | California (Santa Cruz County) |
| November | 5 | 9 | 5 | 1–1.4 m | 18 °C | California (Santa Cruz County) |
| December | 6 | 10 | 7 | 1–1.4 m | 16 °C | California (Santa Cruz County) |
Days per month at the best third of the spots for each level, rated the way the app rates them. Model data, not observations. Method.
By region
| Region | Intermediate | Beginners | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii (Oahu) | May to June, August, November to February | April to September | 25–27 °C |
| Hawaii (Maui) | June, December to February | May to September | 25–28 °C |
| Hawaii (Big Island) | June, August to September, December to February | May to September | 25–28 °C |
| Hawaii (Kauai) | November to February | March, September to October, December | 25–27 °C |
| California (San Mateo County) | May, October to March | September to January | 13–16 °C |
| California (Santa Cruz County) | November to March | March, November to January | 13–17 °C |
| California (Santa Barbara County) | November to February | November, January to February | 15–21 °C |
| California (Los Angeles County) | June, December to February | August, October to February | 15–23 °C |
| California (Orange County) | February, June to September | June to March | 16–23 °C |
| California (San Diego County) | February to March, June to August, December | August to September, November to March | 16–23 °C |
| Oregon | September to October, January to May | April to June, September to October, January | 10–14 °C |
| Washington | November, January to March | April to June, September, January | 9–15 °C |
| Florida | February, October | September, December to February | 19–30 °C |
| North Carolina | February, October | February | 8–29 °C |
| New Jersey | February, October | February | 2–24 °C |
| New York | October, January to February | February | 2–23 °C |
| Texas | November, January | few beginner days | 17–31 °C |
| California (San Luis Obispo County) | October to February | March to June, September to January | 13–18 °C |
| South Carolina | August, October | few beginner days | 10–30 °C |
| Virginia | February | February, October | 4–26 °C |
| Rhode Island | February, October | February | 3–22 °C |
| Massachusetts | February | February | 2–20 °C |
| New Hampshire | February, October | February, October, December | 2–18 °C |
| California (Ventura County) | December to February | November, January to February | 15–22 °C |
| California (Marin County) | December to February | December to February | 12–16 °C |
| Maine | February, October | February to March, October, December | 2–18 °C |
| Illinois | March, December to January | few beginner days | 0–0 °C |
| California (Monterey County) | October, December to March | October to January | 13–17 °C |
| California (Humboldt County) | September, December to May | October, December to January | 11–14 °C |
Questions
What is the best month to surf in United States?
January, with about 7 good days for an intermediate surfer at the best spots. The best run of months is November to February.
When is the best time to surf in United States for beginners?
August to March, when the beginner spots have the most days of small, clean waves.
When are the biggest waves in United States?
February has the biggest typical surf (about 1–1.6 m at the spots we follow). That is the season for experienced surfers.
Can you surf in United States in summer?
Mostly small: June to August average about 2 good days a month for intermediate surfers, better for learning than for good waves.
How warm is the water in United States?
About 14 °C in February (5/4 mm hooded) to 23 °C in August (Springsuit 2 mm or vest).
More: all surf spots in United States · best spots for beginners · this week's forecast · wetsuit by month · why the swell period matters.