Haggerty's is arguably the best-shaped wave in the Palos Verdes area, a classic left that reels over a rock and kelp bottom as both a reef and a point. It's really three breaks in one. Lower Haggerty's offers fun, mushy inside lefts that need a sizable swell to squeak into the corner of the bay. Hag's is the centerpiece, a long, beautifully shaped left that trades a touch of size for near-perfect form. Farther up, Upper Haggerty's, also known as Middles, wakes up as a faster, longer and more consequential barreling left point when the swell gets big.
When It Works
The wave draws its swell from west-southwest to west (WSW-W), and it really only comes to life at size, ideally on a bigger, mid-period pulse. It works from 1.2 m / 4 ft to 4.6 m / 15 ft, so on smaller days you'll be picking your moments while the bigger swells open up the outer zones. Because the wave needs some push behind it, count on plenty of paddling to get out and stay in position. The season runs through autumn, winter and spring, and when it lines up it's a rippable left point that earns its reputation.
Wind and Tide
Look for an east-southeast (ESE) offshore wind, with a workable wind window stretching from east to south-southeast (E-SSE). It can work through low, mid and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is a shortboarder's wave, best suited to intermediate and expert surfers who are comfortable trading position near the rocks. Expect a busy lineup when it's on, though the atmosphere stays friendly.
Access
Getting in means heading down the cliffs at Malaga Cove School. The trails down can be slippery, so take your time on the way to the water.
