Rockaway Beach
Edit SpotAbout
A hit or miss spot. Excellent when on with thick hooking lines. Often a swirling mess of currents and water.
It's never sunny and it's always cold so don't let the picture fool you. Try the Mexican resturant on the main Ave. Great food.
Atmosphere:
Rockaway can get big, very big. Paddling channel is to the SOUTH of the beach, the rip allows easy access to some very big, thick, and grinding waves on big days. DO NOT ATTEMPT to surf this place on a big day unless you KNOW what you're doing. I've seen too many bodies dragged out of the water here for my liking. Even if the waves are medium sized (8 feet +) you will get crushed out there. It is a small cove with ALOT of water rushing in, it needs somewhere to go- you WILL get caught in currents, be in shape. Us locals don't like risking ourselves to help you. Can't handle? Drive south a mile to Linda-Mar.
Additional Info:
Rockaway is a sick reef break. North end of beach off headland. 4ft and up. Best wave around when on.Parking free. No facilities.
Sharky, Cold, Currenty, and HEAVY. There are some ripping locals and some of them can get nasty... just be respectfull and know your limits.
Experienced surfers only, please.
There are really three waves, a left at the south end, a peak in the middle and a right at the north corner. Wave holds size and is juicey. Needs conditions to come together. Lots of power and thick lips. Not for beginners when cranking. the rockaway right at the north end gets good twice, maybe three times a year. Also the wave at the south end of the beach is a right that breaks into a deep channel, which is definitely much more consistent than the north end. The left that this poster talked about was probably the left that breaks off the rocks that the guy is surfing in the picture, and it never gets very good.
Location
Loading...Access
Off of Highway 1 but not at the Taco Bell, it is next cove to the north. Should be marked with a sign. End of Rockaway beach avenue.
| Walk | Instant access (<5 min) |
|---|---|
| Public access | Yes |
| 4x4 required | Unknown |
| Boat required | Unknown |
Wave Characteristics
| Type | Reef (rocky) |
|---|---|
| Direction | Right and left |
| Bottom | Sandy with rock |
| Power | Hollow, Powerful, Ledgey |
| Frequency | Regular (100 days/year) |
| Normal length | Short (<50m) |
| Good day length | Normal (50 to 150m) |
Ideal Conditions
| Wind direction | Don't know |
|---|---|
| Swell direction | Don't know |
| Swell size | 3ft-5ft - 10ft+ |
| Tide | Low and mid tide |
| Tide movement | Rising and falling tides |
Crowd
| Week | Few surfers |
|---|---|
| Weekend | Crowded |
Dangers
Rips / undertow, Rocks, Pollution, Sharks
Videos
None
Nearby spots
0.78 miles away
| Direction: | Left |
| Bottom: | Boulders |
| Frequency: | Sometimes breaks (50 days/year) |
0.86 miles away
| Direction: | Right and left |
| Bottom: | Sandy with rock |
| Frequency: | Regular (100 days/year) |
1.34 miles away
| Direction: | Right and left |
| Bottom: | Sandy |
| Frequency: | Regular (100 days/year) |