Overview
Devereux (Coal Oil Point) is a long right-hand point and reef that peels around the corner from Sands Beach. The waves are generally mushy and sectiony, breaking over a mix of rock ledge and sand. It's rarely perfect, but it's well worth a look when the swell lines up. The name is pronounced DEV-er-oh.
When It Works
Devereux draws swell from southwest through northwest (SW-NW), with west (W) swell the best match, and it really comes alive on a big west swell. It's usable from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft, and as a consistent spot it picks up surf on a regular basis.
Wind and Tide
Look for northeast (NE) offshore wind. It's best on mid tide, and a rising tide is generally the better call, though high tide works too. Keep an eye out for rock boils at low tide.
Local Tips
This is a friendly spot for beginners, though you'll usually be sharing a busy lineup, mostly students who live in Isla Vista. There are several take-off zones, so pick whichever one is least crowded. The very outer point tip is the exception: it can get hollow and very shallow, so it's shortboards only out there.
Access
Check the surf from the very west end of Isla Vista. Park there and walk across the bluff, the same access as Sands Beach. There's free roadside parking.
