1st Street Jetty is the designated surfing area for Virginia Beach and the home of East Coast surfing competitions. Sitting on the north side of Rudee Inlet, the jetty traps sand and focuses swell that barely registers at other breaks, so it tends to be the most consistent setup around. Expect a right-hander peeling over a sand bottom.
When It Works
The break draws swell from south to north (S-N) and shapes it into rights. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft, with autumn the standout season as tropical and frontal swells light it up. Because the jetty concentrates whatever energy is in the water, it will often muster a rideable wave when everywhere else in town has gone flat.
Wind and Tide
Look for west (W) offshore wind, and you also get some shelter from southerly winds here. The jetty can work through most of the tide, low, mid, or high, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is a break for everyone, from first-timers to seasoned surfers, and you will see just about every kind of board in the water, from shortboards and fish to funboards, longboards, SUPs, and bodyboards. Plan on a busy lineup when it turns on, with a neutral vibe among the crowd.
Access
Parking is metered.
