Los Angeles County, California
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles County, California. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor - fair with 9mph W winds.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 18s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 16s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 8mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light SW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with gentle S breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 16s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with gentle SSE breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Hermosa Beach is a mellow South Bay beach break that depends heavily on sandbar configuration for wave quality. The pier creates better sandbars on either side. Less consistent and typically smaller than El Porto to the north (which benefits from the Redondo Canyon swell-focusing effect), but when the sandbars line up, Hermosa produces clean, fun peaks. A relaxed, recreational surf scene.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Hermosa Beach is 2-3ft with a 17.6s swell period. Wind is W at 9mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Hermosa Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 1ft WSW primary swell at 9s, a 1ft SSW secondary swell at 18s, a 0.3ft SW tertiary swell at 16s. 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 Hermosa Beach is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 16.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Hermosa Beach works best with a SW swell and E 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 Hermosa Beach. 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.
Hermosa Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Hermosa Beach is a mellow South Bay beach break that depends heavily on sandbar configuration for wave quality. The pier creates better sandbars on either side. Less consistent and typically smaller than El Porto to the north (which benefits from the Redondo Canyon swell-focusing effect), but when the sandbars line up, Hermosa produces clean, fun peaks. A relaxed, recreational surf scene.
The prime season at Hermosa Beach 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 Hermosa Beach include pier pilings, occasional rip currents, crowds in summer. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Hermosa Beach 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.
