New Hampshire Surf Spots

There are several breaks along Rt. 1A that used to be listed on this site. These spots have experienced extreme overcrowding over recent years. If you know of these breaks please don’t even bother stopping if you see parking is tight as it might cost us all access in the future. A while back they used to tow cars parked at the side of the road, we don’t want to get back to that (imagine walking to town in your wetsuit in the dead of winter). If there is reasonable parking watch the break for a while to make sure that the break can accommodate one more person (Note: some of these spots do not handle crowds well. When the time you spend waiting is factored in most of these spots are not any better than The Wall). Once in the water remember to be respectful and abide the etiquette of surfing. In the unlikely event you should run into one of the few individuals in the area that see themselves as “localism enforcers” avoid direct confrontation and immediately report any intimidation, threats etc. to the local police.
Your help and efforts in all these matters will be appreciated by locals and visitors alike and will help to keep NH’s 13 miles of coastline open and accessible to all.

Jenness Beach

Skill Level: For everyone.
Wave Type: Beach Break.
Best Swell Direction: ESE.
Best Wind Direction: NW to W.
Best Tide: Mid Tide.
Swell Direction Range: NE to SE
Surfable Break Size: Thigh or more.
Bottom Type: Sand.

Comments: A pretty decent beach break that can accommodate some of the flow over from nearby locations if the area is crowded. This beach break is suitable for long boarders, beginners and better surfers.
Hazards: None, until the surf gets overhead then the paddle out is not for the faint of heart.
Localism: None.
Directions: Almost 4 miles north of the end of The Wall on 1A.
Parking: Metered.
Links to Check Before You Go:

- Cinnamon Rainbows: (603) 926 9283

The Wall

Skill Level: For Everyone.
Wave Type: Beach Break.
Best Swell Direction: ESE.
Best Wind Direction: NW to WSW.
Best Tide: Mid tide.
Swell Direction Range: ENE to SE.
Surfable Break Size: Knee and up. The Wall is consistently bigger than many of the breaks in the area.
Bottom Type: Mostly sand, but there are a rocks.

Comments: The Wall is quite a nice beach break that can accommodate huge crowds. Still, it gets crowded, especially in the summer when “surfing zones” are enforced by life guards. BTW, don’t confuse this beach for North Hampton Beach which is further North and not a great surf spot.
Hazards: The paddle out when waves are big.
Localism: None.
Directions: On 1A.
Parking: Metered (enforced in the summer) and plenty of it (though it does fill up).
Links to Check Before You Go:
- Cinnamon Rainbows: (603) 926 9283

Hampton South Beach

Skill Level: For everyone.
Wave Type: Beach Break.
Best Swell Direction: ESE.
Best Wind Direction: NW to WSW.
Best Tide: Mid tide.
Swell Direction Range: NE to SE
Surfable Break Size: Thigh high plus.
Bottom Type: Sand and some boulders (at the edges).

Comments: Generally The Wall is better but there are occasions where you might want to go here instead, for example, if its too big or too crowded at The Wall (mostly if its both). It is a rather average beach break.
Hazards: As with all beach breaks the paddle out can be a challenge with large surf.
Localism: None.
Directions: Hampton Beach State Park on any good map.
Parking: Metered.
Links to Check Before You Go:

* Cinnamon Rainbows: (603) 926 9283

Salisbury Beach

Skill Level: For everyone.
Wave Type: Beach break.
Best Swell Direction: ESE.
Best Wind Direction: NW to SW.
Best Tide: Low to mid tide.
Swell Direction Range: NE to ESE.
Surfable Break Size: Thigh plus.
Bottom Type: Sand.

Comments: A long beach with sandbars that shift around and have been know to create some surfable breaks. Sandbars have not formed too nicely in recent years.
Hazards: As with all beach breaks the paddle out can be a challenge with large surf.
Localism: None.
Directions: Salisbury Beach on any good map.
Parking: Metered and plenty of it.
Links to Check Before You Go:

* Cinnamon Rainbows: (603) 926 9283