The Wedge is one of surfing's most terrifying freaks of nature—a shore break in Newport Beach where swell reflects off a jetty, doubling in size and creating massive, violent peaks. When South swells hit at the right angle, waves can reach 20+ feet, exploding onto steep sand and creating brutal, backwash-filled mayhem. It's primarily a bodyboarding wave, but fearless surfers charge it too. More injuries happen here than almost anywhere else. A spectacle of surf's raw power.
Water temp
18°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
9/10
Crowd level
8/10
Access: Park at the end of the Balboa Peninsula.
Forecasts are validated against real-time buoy data.
Peak: May-Sep
Requires large South swells to reflect off the jetty.
Verified by Data analysis
How well swell angle matches the spot
Wave height in the ideal range
Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.
Offshore/glassy conditions