SURFING SPOTS IN ALASKA

Alaska's surf capital is located in YAKUTAT island...

  

 

 

Alaska has more coast line than the rest of United States combined. 
It is the Last frontier. 

Alaska will never suffer from a crowded line-up, it's simply too remote... 

Despite a number of high quality beach, reef and point breaks. You are more likely to be dropped in on by floating ice than a travelling pro and a spirit of adventure and camaraderie amongst the local surfing population remains strong. The 33,000 mile (53,108km) coastline sounds like it would offer unlimited options - which for the number of surfers here might well be true - but in reality most of the coast either faces the wrong way or is shadowed by islands. Surfing is focused around specific areas such as Yakutat which possess a Pacific swell window and the water is warmed by Kuroshio and Oyashio currents which bring up warm water from the south. 

Near Whitehorse city in Fairweather Range. Juneau region.

Accomodations are limited and not cheap. Go ahead if you like fishermen's life.
Steller Sea loins and Orca(Killer Whales in the water) Grizzlies and wolves on the beach, be aware if you camp, food attracts. Beach is tribal and leave it better than you arrived or we may lose it. 

Don't hit on local girls in a town of 350 people...

Atmosphere:

Differents breaks to check on the harbor. Look for graveyards in Monti Bay.

General:

A good spot to add to your surf resume, but don't you want to stay at home and surf in warm water.

Distance - In the city
Walk - Instant access (< 5min)
Easy to find? - Easy to find
Public access? - Public access
Special access - Don't know

Sea temperatures range from a bone-chilling 31°F /-0.5°C to a slightly less Arctic 60°F or 15.5°C in the height of summer, meaning you will rarely be out of your 5mm suit. 

Weather varies wildly here so travelling surfers be to be prepared for all the seasons in one day! 

Surf Spot Quality

Wave quality - Normal
Experience - All surfers
Frequency - Regular

Wave

Bottom - Sandy with rock
Normal length - Normal (50 to 150m)
Good day length - Long (150 to 300 m)

Tide, Swell and Wind

Swell size - Starts working at Less than 1m / 3ft and holds up to 2m+ / 6ft

Let's watch the Red Bull crew movie from 2008:

OTHER SPOTS:

CITY BEACH - ADAK

 

Right there in town of Adak. A curvy beachbreak with many different surfing areas possible. Also, nearby Zeto Point has its days.

Spot relies on big Aleautian swells wrapping around into bay. Actually happens quite a lot in these parts. Gets too cold come November. 

October best month for surfing here. 

Usually small, but can have shape and get about head-high+ on huge (40') Aleutian swells. Is very protected. A safe and fun place to surf. 

Believe it or not, was surfed a few times during WWII.

Atmosphere:

Around the bend is Zeto Point, a good point break in fall and winter, and further north from there are the lagoons, Loran cove, and Loran Point... all have surfable waves during a strong swell.

General:

You'll be alone, guaranteed.

Surf Spot Quality

Wave quality - Normal
Experience - All surfers
Frequency - Regular

Wave

TypeBeach - break
Direction - Right and left
Bottom - Sandy
Power - Ordinary, Fun
Normal length - Short (< 50m)
Good day length - Short (< 50m)

Tide, Swell and Wind

Good swell direction - NorthEast
Good wind direction - North, NorthWest, NorthEast
Swell size - Starts working at Less than 1m / 3ft and holds up to 2.5m+ / 8ft+
Best tide position - All tides

FOSSIL BEACH - KODIAK

 

DRIVE 50 MILES SOUTH OF TOWN AND YOU'LL HIT THE BEACH. Fossil Beach is the last beach after the Rocket Launch Complex.

Fossil beach can be surfed on both sides. On larger days the reef is much better than the beach break.

Atmosphere:

NO CROWDS! Pristine, and i caught my first wave here.

General:

Its mainly a beach break so it offers a variety of waves.

Surf Spot Quality

Wave quality - Regional Classic
Experience - All surfers
Frequency - Very consistent (150 day/year)

Wave

TypeReef - rocky
Direction - Right and left
Bottom - Sandy with rock
Normal length - Normal (50 to 150m)
Good day length - Long (150 to 300 m)

Opinion:
One of the most premier and pristine breaks I have ever been. 
Black sand beaches, pinks running up the river, and clean right or left breaks on a sandy bottom. A crowded lineup here means more then 3 people in the water, and throw a shaka to the locals and your good to go.Not as cold as you may think in the summertime, buckle down in the winter! I tackled it in a 4/3 Psycho with no problem year round.

LORAN POINT - ADAK

  

 

Fly to Adak on Pennair or Alaska Airlines. Rent a jeep. 
Drive on road north past lagoon towards Loran Station. 
If it's working, you'll most likely have to paddle out from further inside the bay... it's rarely possible to make it out from the point unless it is barely breaking. Very long paddle, best at dropping or slack tide when currents are gone. At rising tide you have to be extra determined to make the paddle out on a big day. May be possible to launch a jetski from inside bay, but as of yet there are none on Adak.

Big-wave spot on north shore of Adak island, has been compared to Waimea Bay Hawaii meets J-Bay. Extremly long and can hold giant swells. 

Needs to be at least 8-10 feet before it breaks. 

Too cold and crazy in winter and spring! 

Must try to get good weather in the early fall, or a N swell in summer... 

but summer very foggy. One of the few legitimate big wave breaks in the Aletuians.

Atmosphere:

September/October you have the best chance of good weather and swell. 

For experts only,and very cold. Wrap-around spots on the E side, and spots in town have smaller surf for the less hardcore. This is the Final Frontier, there's no doubt 'bout it..

Distance - Take a car
Walk - Short walk (5-15 mn)
Easy to find? - Easy to find
Public access? - Public access
Special access - 4x4!

Surf Spot Quality

Wave quality - World Class
Experience - Experienced surfers
Frequency - Sometimes break

Wave

Type - Point-break
Direction - Right
Bottom - Boulders
Power - Powerful
Normal length - Exceptional (>500m)
Good day length - Very Long (300 to 500 m)

Tide, Swell and Wind

Good swell direction - North
Good wind direction - SouthEast
Swell size - Starts working at 3m-3.5m / 10ft-12ft and holds up to

More details

Week crowd - Empty
Week-end crowd - Empty

Dangers

- Rips / undertow

MILL BAY

 

Located on the northeast tip of Kodiak Island, on the northern side of town, it's along the road.

Best to paddle out on the left side of the reef when it is big then paddle behind the reef into the zone once you are far enough out.

Atmosphere:

No crowds at all, there is like 10 people in town who surf.

General:

Its really good in winter, when it gets faces 5ft+ then it starts to get really clean and barreling.

Surf Spot Quality

Wave quality - Normal
Experience - All surfers
Frequency - Sometimes break

Wave

Type - Beach-break
Direction - Right and left
Bottom - Sandy
Power - Ordinary
Normal length - Short (< 50m)
Good day length - Normal (50 to 150m)

Tide, Swell and Wind

Good swell direction - North, SouthEast, East, NorthEast
Good wind direction - East, NorthEast
Swell size - Starts working at 1.0m-1.5m / 3ft-5ft and holds up to 3m+ / 10ft+
Best tide position - Mid tide
Best tide movement - Rising and falling tides

More details

Week crowd - Empty
Week-end crowd - Empty

RAINBOW POINT

BY plane only...This is a pre planed place..localism is perfect.....

have fun they'll tell you more the fisherman know everything
about the Aluetian Islands Further West by boat more world class spots no one knows about..
And will never know due to it cold and weathering enviroment but the rest of the world will be figured out......

This place is empty year round. When I think of a wave for myself I think of this place in Dutch Harbor I know it's cold but if you wanted a perfect wave and a 500m> ride it's worth it and no colder than steamers lane during the winter

and the water is fresh and powerful coming from the back side of dutch harbor out of the Bearing Sea and wraps all the way around the island and in but after 300m or so it starts to taper of due to the harbor...

But in the intrence it can get up to double over head...
Well worth the time and effort plus there is work in Dutch Harbor

Atmosphere:

I watched this place in amazment when I was there
crab fishing and I am a pro surfer from my own time in the water I know good and for what it is worth don't pass up the beauty...

General:

Bring a 6 mil with a hood dress warm and bring 3mil booties can build a fire there World Class yes. Half the awe of indo but the wave rides the same no stand up barrels only on a negative tide short sections very consistant.

Surf Spot Quality

Wave quality - World Class
Experience - All surfers
Frequency - Very consistent (150 day/year)

Wave

Type - Reef-artificial
Direction - Left
Bottom - Flat rocks
PowerHollow, Fast, Powerful
Normal lengthNormal (50 to 150m)
Good day lengthExceptional (>500m)

Tide, Swell and Wind

Good swell direction - North
Good wind direction - SouthEast
Swell size - Starts working at 1.0m-1.5m / 3ft-5ft and holds up to 4m+ / 12ft
Best tide position - Low and mid tide
Best tide movement - Rising and falling tides

More details

Week crowd - Empty
Week-end crowd - Empty

Dangers

- Urchins

SANDY BEACH

 

Its off Halibut Point Road. 

Surf Spot Quality

Wave quality - Normal
Experience - All surfers
Frequency - Regular

Wave

Type - Reef-rocky
Direction - Right and left
Bottom - Sandy with rock
Power - Ordinary, Fun
Normal length - Normal (50 to 150m)
Good day length - Normal (50 to 150m)

Tide, Swell and Wind

Good swell direction - West, SouthWest
Swell size - Starts working at 1.0m-1.5m / 3ft-5ft and holds up to 4m+ / 12ft
Best tide position - Mid and high tide
Best tide movement - Rising and falling tides

More details

Week crowd - Few surfers
Week-end crowd - Few surfers

SHOALS REEF

By boat from Sitka. 30min. Ask and experience it with locals.

Dangers, Large Stellar Sealions, Bears, and Orcas. The lower the tide the better. some of the posted photos are of a near by pt. break. 

There are two main peaks, one for the right and one for the left.

Atmosphere:

Cold water Perfection

Distance - Don't know
Walk - Don't know
Easy to find? OK
Public access? Public access
Special access - By boat only!

Alternative name: The Wall

Surf Spot Quality

Wave quality - Regional Classic
Experience - Experienced surfers
Frequency - Regular

Wave

Type - Reef-rocky
Direction - Right and left
Bottom - Reef (coral, sharp rocks etc..)
Power - Hollow, Fast, Powerful, Fun
Normal length - Normal (50 to 150m)
Good day length - Long (150 to 300 m)

Tide, Swell and Wind

Good swell direction - SouthWest, South
Good wind direction - North, NorthWest, NorthEast
Swell size - Starts working at 1.0m-1.5m / 3ft-5ft and holds up to 5m / 16 ft and over
Best tide position - Low tide only

More details

Week crowd - Empty
Week-end crowd - Empty

THE LAGOONS 

 

The Lagoons on Adak actually consist of two Lagoons, one on the north shore and the other on the east. The one on the north shore is offshore on a south wind, however it is very exposed to swell and is often closed out and very dangerous. However if the swell is small and from the north, this is the place to look for some rideable surf. Check the actual lagoon opening for a wave section that is not uniformly walled up. The lagoon on the east side is far better because the surf always hits it at an angle and so the rides are longer and not as closed out - they peel off much more. These are two large lagoons that have fringing sand-rock berms along the ocean. A rising tide usually brings more surf activity, but also if the swell is not big enough it may break right onshore. 
A dropping tide sees waves breaking further away from the shore, and is best especially with more swell. 
The lagoons are fairly regular and the E side lagoon is always worth a check if Loran Point is too big and town is too small.

Just an average wave, but if the swell is pumping from the north of north east and the wind is from the northwest or west, the E side lagoon can get really, really good. The wave is not a jetty, but a natural breakwater separating the lagoons from the Bering Sea. The north lagoon should not be surfed unless it is small, in which case it is fun but usually a short ride.

Atmosphere:

In these parts when the Aleutain storms fire to life and the snow blows at 100 MPH sideways (The Williwaws), the lagoons actually can kick up a swell of their own INSIDE the lagoon! The Aleutians in winter is no place for the feint of heart and is extremely dangerous even on land... do not surf outside of summer and September unless things are very calm and you can get out of the water within 5 minutes and back to town within 10. City Beach in town is the only year-round place to surf, but be warned - storms can descend so fast and furious even there is not entirely safe. Blinding blizzards can strike within minutes and if you're car stalls and/or you get lost, you're dust...

General:

The Aleutians are the frozen Hawaii. Remember this is the USA... forgotten islands not even scratched for surfing. With modern westuit technology, one can greatly enjoy America's wintry surf frontier... but be VERY conservative and careful when it comes to the weather and venturing outdoors, especially when entering the ocean! Adak is one of dozens of Alaska, America's islands open for surf exploration,and perhaps the most accessible. Keep North America free and clean!

Distance - Take a car
Walk - Instant access (< 5min)
Easy to find? - Easy to find
Public access? - Public access
Special access - 4x4!

Surf Spot Quality

Wave quality - Normal
Experience - All surfers
Frequency - Very consistent (150 day/year)

Wave

Type - Breakwater/jetty
Direction - Left
Bottom - Flat rocks with sand
Power - Powerful, Fun
Normal length - Short (< 50m)
Good day length - Normal (50 to 150m)

Tide, Swell and Wind

Good swell direction - North, NorthWest, East, NorthEast
Good wind direction - West, South
Swell size - Starts working at 1.0m-1.5m / 3ft-5ft and holds up to 3m+ / 10ft+
Best tide position - All tides

More details

Week crowd - Empty
Week-end crowd - Empty

THREE MILE 

 



On Kodiak Island, drive southeast, out of town for an hour and pass Pasagshak and you'll see it. It's the big beach.

Best to surf it right by one of the creeks that flow into the ocean. There is also a nice break about half a mile to the left of the parking lot. That Break is Called Cannon Balls.

Atmosphere:

Good on a mid-size or small day. When there is a storm, things just get out of control there.

General:

Really consistent during fall, winter, and spring. Just takes an hour to get to it.

Distance - Take a car
Walk - Instant access (< 5min)
Easy to find? - OK
Public access? - Public access
Special access - Don't know

Alternative name - Surfers Beach

Surf Spot Quality

Wave quality - Regional Classic
Experience - All surfers
Frequency - Very consistent (150 day/year)

Wave

Type - Beach-break
Direction - Right and left
Bottom - Sandy
Normal length - Short (< 50m)
Good day length - Normal (50 to 150m)

Tide, Swell and Wind

Swell size - Starts working at Less than 1m / 3ft and holds up to 3m+ / 10ft+
Best tide position - Low and mid tide
Best tide movement - Rising tide

More details

Week crowd - Empty
Week-end crowd - Few surfers

SURF FORECAST FOR ALASKA:



If you're going to Alaska, you can at first check the surf forecast here:
http://magicseaweed.com/Alaska-Surf-Forecast/82/


More at: http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/North_America/USA/Alaska/Rainbow_Point/index.html