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Captivating moment of a surfer riding the waves near the iconic Golden Gate Bridge at sunset.
📷 Stephen Leonardi · Pexels

Second Bay

3.6 — based on 21 community signals
4.2 12 species 26 contributors

Second Bay is a year-round surf destination in the United States with active community engagement and consistent breaks.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entry

At a glance

Activity
surf
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Second Bay location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
7.1 kn
Wave
2.04 m
Water
27.8°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NE (23%)
Now: ENE (68°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.79m

Today: High 10:00 (+0.78m), Low 19:00 (+0.42m)

+1.0 m+0.2 m
▲ 10:00 · +0.78m ▼ 19:00 · +0.42m ▼ 21:00 · +0.41m ▲ 22:00 · +0.42m Now +0.4m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV6.7 · high Air PM2.58 · good 06:07 18:19
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 9.9 2.08 7 4mm
09-19 8.8 2.2 8 6mm
09-20 11.7 2.16 9 4mm
09-21 11 2 9 9mm
09-22 10.9 2.64 9 29mm
09-23 7.2 2.62 3 61mm
09-24 11 2.54 1 53mm

About this spot

Second Bay offers reliable surf conditions throughout the year, making it accessible to visiting surfers regardless of season. The spot has built a solid community presence with shared knowledge and documented sessions, evidenced by multiple community videos and species observation data. The break's year-round viability means you can plan trips on your schedule rather than chasing seasonal swells elsewhere. The area supports active participation from local and visiting surfers who regularly document conditions and share insights. With 12 species observations on file, the region shows healthy biodiversity around the break. The lack of Marine Protected Area designation means fewer access restrictions, keeping logistics straightforward. Second Bay works best as part of a broader regional surf plan, combining it with nearby breaks for a multi-day trip. Water conditions and specific break characteristics vary, so checking recent community videos before your session gives you current intel. The consistent year-round swell makes it a reliable backup option when other regional spots aren't firing.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United States: 87 Sites From Springs to Open Ocean

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🏄 Surfboard or rental confirmation
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 49%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 11743km · ~2701kg · €49

FAQ

Can you surf Second Bay year-round?

Yes. Second Bay works throughout the year, though seasonal variations in swell direction and size do occur. Check recent community videos to assess current conditions before you go.

What's the skill level needed for Second Bay?

Difficulty ratings vary by section and conditions. Review community-shared sessions and videos to match your ability. Local surfers in the area can offer current advice on which breaks suit your level.

Are there marine life concerns at Second Bay?

The area supports diverse marine life with 12 documented species observations. Standard ocean awareness applies: respect wildlife, maintain distance, and follow local guidelines.

Do I need permits or visas to surf Second Bay?

Second Bay is not within a Marine Protected Area, so access restrictions are minimal. Standard US travel documentation applies. Check local regulations for parking and beach access before your trip.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

20 records · 17 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
22 Mar 2026
×1records

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whale
Mammalia · Balaenopteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
22 Feb 2024
×1records

Pylopaguropsis keijii

Malacostraca · Paguridae
OBIS
Last seen:
6 Aug 2013
×2records

Percnon abbreviatum

Malacostraca · Percnidae
OBIS
Last seen:
6 Aug 2013
×1records

Pseudorca crassidens

false killer whale
Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
26 Oct 2010
×2records
Depth:
0 m

Echinoidea

Echinoidea
OBIS
Last seen:
5 Jun 2002
×1records
Depth:
20 m

Glycera tesselata

Polychaeta · Glyceridae
OBIS
Last seen:
5 Jun 2002
×1records
Depth:
14 m

Neripteron vespertinum

Gastropoda · Neritidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 1996
×1records
Depth:
0–2 m

Nerita picea

Gastropoda · Neritidae
OBIS
Last seen:
11 Oct 1977
×1records

Neritona granosa

Gastropoda · Neritidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Sept 1977
×1records

Polychaeta

Polychaeta
OBIS
Last seen:
31 Jul 1976
×1records
Depth:
182 m

Iredalea exilis

Gastropoda · Drilliidae
OBIS
Last seen:
28 Mar 1915
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Explore the unlikely capital of American surfing: Florida | NO CONTEST OFF TOUR

Red Bull Surfing
💬 3 top comments
  • Florida native here, I’m not a surfer, but I’ve fished around the whole state. I’ve seen some incredible surfers while surf fishing. Florida culture is one of a kind. Love Florida. Forever Florida.

    @miamigladiator9545 · 👍 105
  • Florida surfing culture is very unique - you have to love the ocean, love swimming, embrace the local environment (sharks), and be very humble. You can go 1-2 months with almost nothing to surf, then flashes of swells that are good but it's very much a physical challenge as well. Because the best conditions are hurricane swells, and that is the most dangerous time to swim in the ocean. I've routin

    @ProdigyHighlights · 👍 46
  • Florida native and lifelong surfer here. This vid struck a few chords. I'm stoked that we in Florida are more and more getting the props we deserve for our part in surf culture. Our proximity to water in general helps cultivate an interest and a respect for nature and water in particular.

    @jimmychonga5054 · 👍 204

Twenty Miles South San Francisco (Two Of The Greatest Surfers Died Here)

Surfing Stories
💬 3 top comments
  • Crazy to think that Jeff Clark surfed Mavericks for years on his own!

    @andwhy67 · 👍 4
  • Mavericks, along with all the great breaks in the world, is just a momentary phenomena on the geological scale; it once existed submerged and hidden, and it once existed high above the shoreline only seeing water during the rains- and it again will one day disappear most likely never to host the raw fury of the all powerful ocean. Our time witnessing it's glory is a blink of the eye here on earth

    @puncrock2952 · 👍 0
  • The water temp isn't as warm as stated in the video...... it is actually about 46~49F/ 8~9C.

    @odurandina · 👍 3

Surfing mother natures wave pool

AIR HUNTER
💬 3 top comments
  • Wunderschöne Bucht und herrlich klares Wasser!👍💎

    @detlevpomp · 👍 8
  • This reminds me of surfing those perfect breaks on a secluded beach with 5 or 6 of your closest mates from high school . No shops. No people. No roads. Just a lonely beach. Ohhhhhh memories.

    @wingchun-simplekungfu7584 · 👍 119
  • Unreal 👌

    @BEEFSTV · 👍 12
wind peaks Mar-Jul-Aug, calmest Dec-Sep-Oct.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)

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