Virginia
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at 1st St. Jetty, Virginia. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 9mph ESE winds.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with strong N wind at 16mph.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 8mph from the NNE.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 7mph S winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 23mph.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 11mph WNW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 17mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
1st St. Jetty is a sandy beach break located in Virginia Beach, anchored by the jetty structure that helps shape consistent waves along this popular east-facing stretch of coast. The spot works best with easterly Atlantic swells and light offshore winds from the west, creating clean peaks suitable for surfers of all abilities. This accessible break offers a fun introduction to surfing with its forgiving sand bottom and proximity to local amenities.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at 1st St. Jetty is 1-2ft with a 6.75s swell period. Wind is ESE at 9mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at 1st St. Jetty is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.3ft ESE primary swell at 7s, a 0.4ft ESE secondary swell at 13s, a 0.7ft SE wind swell swell at 2s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf 1st St. Jetty is Tuesday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 2ft waves, a 4.65s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
1st St. Jetty works best with a E swell and W winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at 1st St. Jetty. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
1st St. Jetty is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. 1st St. Jetty is a sandy beach break located in Virginia Beach, anchored by the jetty structure that helps shape consistent waves along this popular east-facing stretch of coast. The spot works best with easterly Atlantic swells and light offshore winds from the west, creating clean peaks suitable for surfers of all abilities. This accessible break offers a fun introduction to surfing with its forgiving sand bottom and proximity to local amenities.
The prime season at 1st St. Jetty is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at 1st St. Jetty include jetty, strong currents near jetty structure. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our 1st St. Jetty forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
