Winthrop Jetty is a well-known surf spot located at the southern end of Winthrop Beach, which is the closest surf destination to downtown Boston. It offers surfers a decent option for riding waves without needing to travel too far from the city. The setting is pretty laid-back, and it’s mostly frequented by locals looking to catch some fun swells.
The jetty primarily works well with an East to Northeast swell, especially when the wind is coming from the West. During mid to high tide, surfers can expect predominantly right-hand waves that break close to the jetty over a cobblestone bottom. It can handle swell sizes starting from about 2 feet (0.6 meters), making it accessible even for those just getting into surfing. Low tide tends to push waves to break over outside shoals, which can lessen the size of the reforming waves, so keep that in mind when planning your sessions.
This spot is not crowded often, giving you more room to catch waves. It’s important to check the conditions since they can vary a lot depending on the tide and swell. Overall, Winthrop Jetty is a decent place to surf if you’re in the area and looking for some right-handers to ride.