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.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on W swell at 7s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 9mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 8s and light winds out of the ESE. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 13s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on W swell at 7s and moderate SE wind around 9mph. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 15s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with barely a breath of wind. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 15mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 22s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.
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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 13.45s swell period. Wind is W at 2mph and conditions are rated 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 1.2ft W primary swell at 10s, a 1ft SSW secondary swell at 14s, a 0.4ft SSW 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 Sunday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 3ft waves, a 13.45s 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.
