Del Monte Beach

Del Monte Beach is a sheltered, sandy beach break in Monterey, California, along the edge of Monterey Bay. It’s generally known as a beginner-friendly to intermediate surf spot with mellow waves compared with more exposed breaks nearby.

Surf character

• Type: Sand-bottom beach break
• Wave quality: Usually soft and forgiving, often better for learning than for heavy, performance surfing
• Best swell direction: Typically handles northwest to west swells well
• Wind: Offshore conditions are most favorable, while strong onshore winds can make it choppy
• Tide: Can work at a range of tides, but conditions often depend on sandbar shape and recent swell

What to expect

• Smaller, manageable waves are common, especially in summer
• Can get more powerful and textured in winter when storms send larger swells into Monterey Bay
• The beach is often more about fun, approachable surf than long, perfect rides
• Since it’s a bay-facing spot, conditions can be a bit more protected than open-coast breaks

Good for

• Beginners and first-time surfers
• Longboarders
• Surf schools and casual sessions
• Surfers looking for a less intense alternative to bigger nearby breaks

Hazards / considerations

• Rip currents can still develop
• Cold water year-round; a wetsuit is usually necessary
• Sandbars can shift, changing the wave quality from day to day
• Crowds may appear when conditions are good, though it’s usually not as crowded as famous California surf destinations

Overall

Del Monte Beach is a low-key, accessible surf spot in Monterey with soft beach-break waves that are often best for learning, cruising, and relaxed sessions rather than high-performance surfing.