Surfing Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach is well known as one of the classic surfing beaches in the area. Winter waves can be big. On good days in the summer when the swell and tides are right, surfers have some great sessions. Waves break right and left over a sandy bottom. Crowds are often heavy on weekends, however.

El Porto

El Porto, at the north end of Manhattan Beach, is a popular surfing spot, partly because of the convenient parking and the snack shack right on the beach. El Porto is often a good place for beginners, but it can get big in the winter. Another place that draws attention is 26th-27th Street. Again, there are parking lots nearby. Expect to find some top surfers out on the waves at 27th Street.

Caution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.

Most surfers are aware that after a heavy rain the storm drain that empties into the ocean near 28th Street can carry pollutants that should be avoided.
LA County Public Health Beach Advisories

International Surf Festival

July 31 - August 4, 2024
Every year Manhattan Beach host the International Surf Festival. The event is a combined effort of surrounding beach communities from Torrance to Manhattan Beach. It draws large crowds to compete in the surf and bodysurfing contests, a paddleboard race, a beach run, beach volleyball, lifeguard competitions, a sand castle contest, a dory race, and more. The festival promotes fitness for participants from ages 8 and through seniors and benefits the South Bay Lifeguard Service.

Surfing Lessons and Camps

Campsurf

Private lessons and Summer Surf Camp at their Rosecrans Avenue location on Manhattan Beach. The camp is open to ages 7 and up. Camp includes use of surfboard, wetsuit and 2½ to 3 hours of surf instruction daily. 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM with lunch break. Camps are offered from early June through late August.
Campsurf

Beach Sports' Surf Camps

Beach Sports' Surf Camps for ages 9 to 15 will take you to your next level. Surfers of all abilities, from beginners to experienced, are welcome. They offer full and half-day sessions Monday through Friday, from late June to mid-August. Participants enjoy surfing, boogie boarding, body surfing, and beach games. Camp takes place on Manhattan Beach near 14th Street. They also offer Beach Camps, Skateboard Camps, Volleyball Camps, and Jr. Lifeguards.
Beach Sports' Surf Camps

Surfboard and Paddleboard Rentals and Sales

• El Porto Surfboards, 3804 Highland Avenue. Rent surfboards, wetsuits, bodyboards. Retail sales
• Nikau Kai Waterman Shop, 1300 Highland Avenue. Sales of paddleboards, paddles, gear, clothing.

Volleyball

Dozens of volleyball nets are located along Manhattan Beach. They are open for public use. Beach volleyball at Manhattan Beach draws some of the top players in the area. Along the Manhattan Beach Pier is the Volleyball Walk of Fame, a string of bronze plaques displaying the names of past winners of the Manhattan Beach Open.

Charlie Saikley 6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament

August TBA, 2024
South side of Manhattan Beach Pier, 8 AM to 5 PM
Parks and Recreation Department: (310) 802-5448
Charlie Saikley 6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament

Jr. 6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament

August TBA, 2024
Age groups from 12 and under to 15-18
South side of Manhattan Beach Pier, 9 AM to 6 PM
Parks and Recreation Department: (310) 802-5448
Jr. 6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament

Beach Volleyball Youth Camp

Campsurf is offering a Beach Volleyball Camp for youths ages 8 and older. Week-long camps run from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM at the Rosecrans Avenue volleyball courts on Manhattan Beach. Weekly sessions begin in late June and continue through July. Participants are broken into age groups with instructors for every 8 youths.
Campsurf's Beach Volleyball Camp

South Bay Beach Volleyball

South Bay Beach Volleyball offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced classes at Manhattan Beach near 4th Street. They also offer jump training, private tutoring, and league play.
South Bay Beach Volleyball

Roundhouse Marine Lab and Aquarium

The Roundhouse Marine Lab and Aquarium on the end of Manhattan Beach Pier is dedicated to teaching students and other visitors about marine life, the oceans, and the environment. The aquarium features rotating exhibits as wells as a tide pool touch tank, a living reef, and a shark tank.

The Roundhouse is open to the public admission free, asking a $2 per person donation or $5 per family. Days and hours of operation can vary, so check their website. The Roundhouse also provides school field trips and classes.
Roundhouse Marine Lab and Aquarium

Roundhouse Marine Lab Summer Camp

The Roundhouse Marine Lab and Aquarium offers beach summer camps for ages 4 through 10. Participants learn about marine science while enjoying beach and water activities such as digging for sand crabs, playing in the waves, building sand sculptures, and shooting a lemon cannon.

The week-long sessions usually begin in late June and end in mid-August. Children may sign up for multiple weeks if they choose. Camp begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 12 noon.

Manhattan Beach Junior Lifeguard Programs

Los Angeles County Junior Lifeguard Program

Los Angeles Country's Junior Lifeguards program develops skills in ocean swimming and in dealing with hazards in the ocean. Participants learn about water safety, surf rescue, surf riding, and first aid. Two 4-week programs, each with a morning or afternoon session, are open to youths ages 9 to 17. Participants meet at Manhattan Beach at Marine Street. Check the website for the current year's dates.

There are 2 classes per day, the morning session from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM and the afternoon from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

New participants must pass a basic swimming test held in late March through April.
LA County Junior Lifeguards

Beach Sports Junior Lifeguard Program

Beach Sports' Junior Lifeguards program at Manhattan Beach offers a less competitive environment than some other programs, while at the same time developing skills in ocean swimming and in dealing with hazards in the ocean. Participants learn about water safety, surf rescue, surf riding, and first aid. The 1, 2 and 6-week-long programs are available to youths ages 8 to 14. Participants meet at Manhattan Beach at 15th St. and Ocean Ave. A San Onofre Surf Trip is scheduled for mid-July.

New participants must pass a basic swimming test to participate.

2024 Program Schedule: weekly sessions from June 10 through August 16

Beach Sports' Jr. Lifeguard Program