What is a beach break?
A beach break is a wave that breaks over a sandy bottom. Sandbanks shift with storms and seasons, so the peaks move around, and beach breaks are often the friendliest places to learn.
Last updated · Surf & waves glossary
About Beach break
Related terms
- Point break
- A point break is a wave that breaks along a point of land or a headland, peeling down the line in one direction. Point breaks can give long, consistent rides when the swell comes from the right direction.
- Reef break
- A reef break is a wave that breaks over a coral or rock reef. The fixed bottom gives a consistent, often powerful wave, but shallow water over the reef makes wipeouts riskier.
- River-mouth break
- A river-mouth break is a wave that breaks on the sandbars a river builds where it meets the sea. The banks change with rainfall and river flow, so the wave can be excellent one season and gone the next.