Ventura is known for good waves and better people. The surf in Ventura is diverse and abundant. Surfers of every level are all able to find the wave that best suits them and their surf needs. I have been enjoying the consistent surf of Ventura for many years and have confidence you will too. Hopefully, this Ventura Surf Report will help you find your perfect wave!
Directory for Ventura Surf:
Ventura Harbor
Ventura Point
C-Street
Emma Wood State Beach
Solimar
Mondos
Mussel Shoals
Rincon
This surf report is to help you find which wave is best for you. My aim is not to provide you with specific directions to every location due to respect for the surfing community. I want to give you some insider information to help you enjoy the rad waves of Ventura.
Ventura Harbor
Ventura Harbor is a well-loved wave in Ventura. The crowd here is more serious about surfing and can be picky about who is surfing with them. Make sure to paddle out with confidence and practice good surf etiquette. This A-frame wave is surfed by more advanced surfers because it is steep and holds its shape well.
Ventura Harbor is the most fun with a shortboard on a west swell. Although this wave is competitive, it is one of the best places in Ventura to get barreled at. If you are an intermediate or advanced surfer you will love this wave! I have loved surfing here most on a decent swell with some offshore wind.
Ventura Point
Ventura Point is a rad right-hand break that many surfers enjoy. On a nice west swell or groundswell, this wave holds size well and is perfect for your shortboard or fish. This wave has the best shape with some offshore wind and a tide changing from high to low. Ventura Point is still fun when it is smaller, just make sure to bring a longboard and you’ll be able to have a great time surfing. This point is filled with many Ventura locals who are typically experienced surfers.
The wave is steep and many shortboarders quick drop and height of the wave. On a bigger day, this wave suits intermediate and advanced surfers, and on a smaller day beginners will have fun here. I like taking out my fish here on a 3-5 ft day because the rides are steep and really fun on a shorter board.
C-Street
C-Street, also known as “surfer’s point”, is one of the most popular breaks in Ventura. Here, you will find the perfect right for any longboarder or shortboarder. This wave is loved by many surfers because it is a long wave that has many take-off points and is easy to get to. Some bad winds tend to pick up in the afternoon and make this wave a bit too messy to surf at that time. Make sure you go when the onshore wind isn’t too strong and you will love the long, well-shaped wave!
I have loved going to C-street and have found the crowd there to be mostly kind locals who are stoked on surfing. There are a couple of different take-off spots which I appreciate because if I do not like the way the wave is breaking in one spot I can just paddle over a different break and find my perfect wave.
Emma Wood State Beach
Emma Wood State Beach is a rad surf spot with a couple of different take-off spots. This beach is known for its deepwater break, Ventura Overhead. Ventura Overhead only breaks a couple of times of year but it is a perfect A-frame big wave spot when it does. People who love big waves really love Ventura Overhead because of the heaviness and size of the wave.
In addition to Ventura Overhead, Emma Wood has a couple of other take-off points that are good throughout the year, mostly in the wintertime. I love surfing Emma Wood State Beach on a fish when there is a good NW swell rolling through. This wave is perfect for a quicker ride and I have really enjoyed it throughout the years.
Solimar
Solimar is a consistent wave that is well-loved by many local surfers. Within Solimar there are a couple of take-off points that you will see people go to. This wave is a deep water reef break that has a two-way peak. This means any surfer can take off going either left or right depending on which they prefer.
Bring your shortboard, fish, or fun board when going to surf this wave because of the steeper take-off! I have enjoyed surfing Solimar when there is a southwest swell and usually bring my mid-length or fish. The crowd at Solimar is welcoming and mostly kind. The surfers there range from beginner to advanced depending if it is a big or small swell.
Mondos
Mondos is a fun and mellow wave. This wave is a right that is perfect for beginners and longboarders. It rolls for a while before it breaks and is not too steep for a longboarder. This spot is loved by many because it has consistent waves and a really kind crowd, mostly filled with beginners. Make sure to surf Mondos on a tide that is not very high because the waves won’t break on high tide. Mondos on low tide is okay to surf but keep in mind there might be some rocks to dodge.
This surf break is where we give out surf lessons because of the easy-to-catch, long waves it has to offer. I love taking my longboard out to Mondos on a lower tide. Make sure you check the tide before you go and enjoy your surf session!
Mussel Shoals
Mussel Shoals, also known as “little Rincon”, is a fun right-hand break. This break is known as “little Rincon” because of its similarity to Rincon, another well-known surf break. You can find the best waves here when there is a northwest swell or a groundswell. Mussel Shoals is a right-hand reef point break that most frequently has waves in the wintertime. There can be quite a few rocks that are exposed at this break so be careful surfing here when the tide is super low.
Rincon
Rincon is one of the finest waves in central California. It sits right between the Ventura and Santa Barbara County lines and is the best right-hand point break you can find in Santa Barbara or Ventura. This break is great on a west or northwest swell and is known for its long, well-shaped waves.
When you paddle out you will find all different levels of surfers ranging from professionals to beginners. There is typically a pretty big crowd here but there are multiple take-off points and different areas people surf at. The main spot is called indicators and right next to it are the river mouth and the cove.
I hope you enjoyed reading about the Ventura Surf Report and have a better understanding of what to expect when going surfing in Ventura. I have really appreciated the consistency and size of the waves in Ventura and am confident you will too! If you are new to the surfing community and want learn how to surf, book a lesson with us and we will help you out!
Have you surfed in Ventura? Please share your experience or questions in the comments below!
