PV Cove Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
S/W-SW
Wind
E, SW
Surf Height
Waist-high to overhead.
Tide
A little water over the rock reef makes a big difference, as the wave can get too drained out and shallow. That mid-tide push usually helps when the swell’s small.
PV Cove Surf Guide
Palos Verdes Cove has a rich and colorful history dating all the way back to the 1930s, but the focal point for surfing here nowadays is Middles. Comprised of fun lefts and rights that generally offer playful waves for longboards and funboards, as things start to get bigger on a solid NW or SW, the waves get more challenging. The wave is also affected by the tide and can get drained out when it gets too low. The Boneyard on the inside offers a shallow lefthander that can get hollow and pack a punch when the conditions align.
Ability Level
Intermediate - Advanced
Because there are a few options at PV Cove depending on swell, it caters to a host of different talent levels. The waves can range from user-friendly to heavy and serious.
Local Vibe
Intimidating
Palos Verdes is one of the last bastions of localism in Southern California. The crew that surf here regularly know each other and don’t welcome outsiders. However, PV Cove isn’t as fiercely defended as nearby Lunada Bay.
Crowd Factor
Heavy
Can get busy with local PV surfers, and the Boneyard can be competitive when it turns on.
Spot Rating
Fun
A fun, user-friendly longboard spot most of the time that can offer hollow lefts on the inside Boneyard section when conditions come together.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
The lineup is a ways offshore and takes some work to get out to. It’s pretty cruisey on small days, but gets progressively more challenging as the swell fills in.
Water Quality
Clean
One of the more pristine areas in the L.A. zone, Palos Verdes Cove is a protected marine preserve with healthy sea life, including offshore kelp beds that help provide glassy conditions.
Hazards
The bottom.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Fish, Funboard, Longboard, Bodyboard
Access
Access by a dirt footpath at Flat Rock Point.
Bottom
Sand and rocks on the beach with a rocky bottom.
Best Season
PV Cove will break throughout the year, but solid groundswells really maximize the bottom bathymetry. Summer and winter are both viable seasons with different moods and temperaments.
Do you have local knowledge about PV Cove?
If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]