Advanced Surf Spots in the United States
12 surf breaks we map are rated for advanced surfers in the United States: Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Honolua Bay, Mavericks, Pe'ahi, Ocean Beach, Blacks Beach and Swamis and 4 more.
Last updated · Counted from the surf breaks we map — each break's own season, level and wave type
- Reef breaks
- 6
- Point breaks
- 4
- Beach breaks
- 2
The advanced breaks
Best months are filled in where the break states a season. Open a break for its map, photos and the property nearest the lineup.
- Banzai Pipeline
Hawaii
- Wave
- Reef break · Left and right
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- November to February (winter swells)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Breaks over shallow coral or rock reef — booties are recommended and mind the take-off zone.
- Sunset Beach
Hawaii
- Wave
- Reef break · Right-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- November to February (winter swells)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Breaks over shallow coral or rock reef — booties are recommended and mind the take-off zone.
- Honolua Bay
Hawaii
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- November to February (winter swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- Mavericks
- Wave
- Reef break · Right-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- September to April (winter NW swells)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Breaks over shallow coral or rock reef — booties are recommended and mind the take-off zone.
- Pe'ahi
Hawaii
- Wave
- Reef break · Right-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- November to February (winter swells)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- A serious big-wave arena — strictly for elite surfers; sessions are often towed and the channel currents are extremely powerful.
- Ocean Beach
San Francisco
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- September to April (winter NW swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Blacks Beach
San Diego
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- September to April (winter NW swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Swamis
Encinitas
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- September to April (winter NW swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
- Windansea
San Diego
- Wave
- Reef break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- September to April (winter NW swells)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Shallow rock reef, powerful shorebreak, cleanup sets, slippery rocks, heavy crowds, competitive local lineup, drop-ins and difficult positioning when larger. Water quality can also deteriorate after heavy rainfall. Respect lineup etiquette—the Windansea surf community has deep roots and a long-established local culture. Kooks will not be tolerated.
- Makaha
Mākaha
- Wave
- Point break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- November to February (winter swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Shallow reef, rocks, powerful currents, large cleanup sets, heavy winter surf and an experienced local lineup. The inside reef becomes particularly shallow on smaller days. On large NW swells Makaha can become a serious big-wave venue. Visitors should understand Makaha's enormous cultural importance, show humility, respect local surfers and follow proper lineup etiquette. Kooks will be told to leave the water.
- Ala Moana Bowls
Honolulu
- Wave
- Reef break · Left-hand
- Level
- Advanced
- Season
- November to February (winter swells)
- Tide
- Best on a mid-to-high tide
- Watch out
- Extremely competitive lineup, shallow and sharp reef, sea urchins, long paddle, powerful surf on larger south swells, boat traffic near the harbor channel and possible water-quality issues following heavy rainfall. Local knowledge and respectful lineup etiquette are especially important at Bowls.
- Hanalei Bay
Hanalei
- Wave
- Point break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Season
- November to February (winter swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- Rocks and strong currents run around the point, so plan your entry and exit carefully.
Other levels in United States
Frequently asked questions
Where can advanced surfers surf in the United States?
12 surf breaks we map are rated for advanced surfers in the United States: Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Honolua Bay, Mavericks, Pe'ahi, Ocean Beach, Blacks Beach and Swamis and 4 more.
When is the best time for advanced surfers to surf the United States?
The advanced-rated breaks we map in the United States are mostly at their best in November to February.
What kind of waves are the advanced surf spots in the United States?
Of the 12 advanced breaks we map in the United States, 6 are reef breaks, 4 are point breaks and 2 are beach breaks.