Virginia Beach First Street
Virginia Beach First Street has hosted the East Coast Surfing Championships since 1963, making it the longest-running surf contest in the country and a landmark in American surfing history. The wave itself is nothing special—mushy beach break peaks typical of the mid-Atlantic—but the event and the community it spawned transformed Virginia Beach into an East Coast surf hub. When hurricane swells arrive or nor'easters churn offshore, First Street can produce legitimate waves that remind everyone why they started surfing here in the first place.
Virginia Beach First Street surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (80°)
- Direction range
- 50° - 130°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Offshore range
- 240° - 310°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.2m
Water temp
18°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
8/10
Access: Resort area. Paid parking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Virginia Beach First Street?
Virginia Beach First Street is a beach break in Virginia Beach, USA, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Virginia Beach First Street?
Virginia Beach First Street picks up swell from the NE round to the SE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the E. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.5 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Virginia Beach First Street?
A W wind is dead offshore at Virginia Beach First Street, and anything from the WSW round to the NW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Virginia Beach First Street?
Virginia Beach First Street is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 1.2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Virginia Beach First Street?
The most reliable run of swell at Virginia Beach First Street comes Sep to Apr. There's a second window in Aug too. Hurricane swells and nor'easters best.
How cold is the water at Virginia Beach First Street?
The water at Virginia Beach First Street averages around 18°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Virginia Beach First Street good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 8/10), so mind the pecking order. Crowded resort beach.
How do I get to Virginia Beach First Street?
The nearest airport on our list is ORF, then it's roughly a 25-minute drive. Resort area. Paid parking.
What other surf spots are near Virginia Beach First Street?
The closest breaks we track are Croatan Beach (4.1 km), handy when Virginia Beach First Street isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Secondary: Aug
Hurricane swells and nor'easters best.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Croatan Beach
🏠 VB local's choice • Less crowded • Better sandbars
Jennettes Pier
📹 OBX landmark • Live webcam central • Consistent sandbars
S-Turns
🛣️ Highway 12 curves • Remote OBX power • Hurricane season glory
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
🦓 The lighthouse • Prime swell window • East Coast's best position