Overview
East Wittering is a huge stretch of sandy beach, with pebbles and shingle showing through at high tide and a line of wooden groynes down the sand. It's a mostly average spot that usually breaks on windswell, but it can turn genuinely good on a small, clean groundswell paired with light winds. It's also a favourite with windsurfers, so expect to share the water when the wind is up.
When It Works
The beach breaks over sand and picks up swell from the southwest (SW), throwing up both right and left peaks. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 1.8 m / 6 ft, which is the sweet balance this beach really wants. Think of it as the Goldilocks of breaks: give it a clean groundswell that's neither too small nor too big and the subtle banks can produce decent peaks with long, walling waves. The more common windswell tends to serve up a confused jumble, with the odd fun ride mixed in. Autumn and winter are the seasons to watch.
Wind and Tide
Look for a north-northeast (NNE) offshore, with a workable wind window running from north-northeast to northeast. The beach fares better on the lower tides, as it drops out below the many groynes, so plan around low and mid tide with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is an approachable beach that suits beginners and intermediates, and it takes just about any board, from shortboards, fish, and funboards through to longboards, SUPs, and kiteboards, which is part of why it's long been popular with longboarders. The lineup usually stays fairly quiet, with plenty of room to spread out along the sand, though it can feel a touch reserved.
Access
Parking right on the beach is limited, but the Marine Drive car park sits close by. Keep an eye on the groynes and rips, and note that the water can carry sewage after heavy rain.
