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.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 12mph SW winds.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 8mph SW winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 15mph by PM.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 9mph from the SW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 19mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 10mph from the SSW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 17mph.
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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 8.95s swell period. Wind is SSW 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 1.6ft E primary swell at 10s, a 1.2ft SE secondary swell at 8s, a 1.1ft S wind swell swell at 3s. 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 Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 2ft waves, a 8.95s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. 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.
