Intermediate Surf Spots in the United States
14 surf breaks we map are rated for intermediate surfers in the United States: Lower Trestles, Rincon, Steamer Lane, Huntington Beach, Sebastian Inlet, Blacks Beach, Swamis and Salt Creek and 6 more.
Last updated · Counted from the surf breaks we map — each break's own season, level and wave type
- Beach breaks
- 7
- Point breaks
- 5
- Reef breaks
- 2
The intermediate 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.
- Lower Trestles
- Wave
- Reef break · Left and right
- Level
- Intermediate
- 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.
- Rincon
- 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.
- Steamer Lane
- Wave
- Reef break · Right-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- 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.
- Huntington Beach
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- Year-round, best in summer (south swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rip currents form between the sandbars — always check conditions before paddling out.
- Sebastian Inlet
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- August to April (hurricane and winter 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.
- Salt Creek
Dana Point
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- 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.
- Ventura Point
- 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.
- 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.
- New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- 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.
- Cape Hatteras
Buxton
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- September to April (winter NW swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Powerful rip and lateral currents, rapidly shifting sandbars, heavy shorebreak, hurricane and nor'easter conditions, submerged remnants of old groins/jetties, sharks, changing water temperatures and potentially difficult paddle-outs. NPS warns that ocean conditions and rip-current risk can change rapidly. Beach and ORV access can also change due to storms, erosion and wildlife closures.
- Manasquan Inlet
Manasquan
- Wave
- Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- September to April (winter NW swells)
- Tide
- All tides; sandbar-dependent
- Watch out
- Rock jetty, powerful rip currents, strong inlet currents, fishing lines and hooks, heavy crowds, experienced local lineup, rapidly shifting sandbars and cold winter water. Larger hurricane and nor'easter swells can produce extremely powerful surf. Parking is also difficult during summer and good swells, and a beach badge is required during guarded summer hours.
- Cotton's Point
San Clemente, California
- Wave
- Point break · Left-hand
- Level
- Intermediate
- Season
- September to April (winter NW swells)
- Tide
- All tides; best on a pushing tide
- Watch out
- The bluff above is private land; reach it by walking the beach from the Trestles trail at San Onofre State Beach. Cobblestone bottom.
Other levels in United States
Frequently asked questions
Where can intermediate surfers surf in the United States?
14 surf breaks we map are rated for intermediate surfers in the United States: Lower Trestles, Rincon, Steamer Lane, Huntington Beach, Sebastian Inlet, Blacks Beach, Swamis and Salt Creek and 6 more.
When is the best time for intermediate surfers to surf the United States?
The intermediate-rated breaks we map in the United States are mostly at their best in September to April.
What kind of waves are the intermediate surf spots in the United States?
Of the 14 intermediate breaks we map in the United States, 7 are beach breaks, 5 are point breaks and 2 are reef breaks.