Longbeach is a south-facing beachbreak that peels over sand and throws up both lefts and rights. There is not much on offer here unless a bit of south swell is running, so it pays to wait for the right pulse before making the trip.
When It Works
The bank picks up swell from east to south, but south (S) is the direction that really lights it up. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 3 m / 10 ft, so there is a decent working range once a swell fills in. Consistency is low, which means you will get plenty of flat spells between the sessions worth surfing. When it does break, expect average beachbreak peaks rather than anything world-class.
Wind and Tide
Look for north (N) offshore wind to clean up the faces. It can work across low, mid, and high tide, though a rising tide is generally the better call, and the beachbreaks tend to be at their best on the higher tides.
Local Tips
The lineup is rarely crowded. Most surfers in the area are heading for the ferry across to Carolina Beach and the east-facing breaks, so you will often have room to spread out when Longbeach is on.
Access
There is a surf shop nearby if you need to pick up anything before paddling out.
