Seal Beach Pier is a popular surf spot located at the foot of Main Street in Seal Beach. It offers a pretty casual beach vibe where surfers of various skill levels can catch some waves. The area hosts a huge summer annual sandcastle building contest, adding a bit of fun to the beach atmosphere. But don’t expect it to be the best wave around, as it has its limitations.
The surf you'll find here is mainly average beachbreak peaks on both sides of the pier. It doesn’t quite stack up to the peak at 13th Street and certainly can’t handle larger swells. The optimal swell direction is from the Southwest, but you can also get decent rides with swells coming from the South and Northwest. The spot handles swell sizes starting at 1ft (0.3 meters) and breaks over sand, producing both left and right waves. For the best experience, aim for low to mid tide or even high tide. It's generally a good spot for intermediate surfers, especially with favorable wind coming from the Northeast.
When you're out there, just keep in mind that conditions can change. Currents can be an issue when it gets big, so be sure to pay attention. It's a chill spot perfect for a lazy day of catching some average waves and enjoying the beach scene.