Introduction
What determines a good location to boogie board?
- At a high level, you’ll want a location that has waves that can vary in size, weak undertow/rip current, and a gradual decline in depth.
- Waves that vary in size keep things interesting of course. However, it also offers appeal to both the expert and novice then.
- Gradual decline in depth. this is helpful for a few reasons.
- First, the novice can catch the smaller waves breaking in shallower water and the expert can go further out to catch those larger waves.
- Second, since it is gradual you have a good sense of when is too far to go out. Once you get so far out, many waves won’t fully crash. Being able to have an idea of where this begins helps.
- Lastly, being able to have your feet on the ground gives the beginner a lot more comfort and control when starting out.
So that being said, here are some of the most well-known locations for going boogie boarding.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is a great location for the beginner. The waves tend to be on the smaller range, very low undertow/rip current, and there is a very gradual depth decline. On the bay side, these are more extreme, whereas the ocean side waves can be slightly larger and the depth can decline quicker.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
The waves here tend to vary a lot based on the weather and any incoming storms. Most of the time the waves are gentle and best suited for beginners. You can ride the waves all the way onto the shore. However, be careful of potential rip currents here and be aware of any potential storms in the area.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
The Outer Banks is great for boogie boarders just starting out and for those looking for slightly larger waves. For the beginner, you can catch smaller waves crashing closer to the shore. Whereas the more experienced boogie boarder can go further out and catch some of the larger waves that are breaking. While the waves on the bay side in Virginia Beach tend to be the same day-in and day-out, the waves here can be more variable. On a rough day, there can be some large waves out there. On other days, the waves aren’t conducive to riding and are mostly close out waves.
Dewey Beach, Delaware
This area is a solid place to boogie board though sometimes the waves are known for crashing directly onto the shore which can be dangerous. Additionally, like other beaches it gets crowded in the summer, and at times the lifeguards may prohibit boogie boarders from riding in the surf. However, this beach is most well-known for skim boarding due to its steep beaches. A few competitions are held here yearly for skim boarders.
New Smyrna Inlet, Florida
Compared to Daytona, this beach is known for larger waves. However, here you will have to be on the lookout for surfers as well. Don’t worry there is a large boogie boarding scene here too and for good reason. The waves here are great for someone who already knows how to boogie board.
Daytona Beach, Florida
This beach is great for boogie boarding. It has gentle waves and is suited well for the beginner. The waves aren’t large enough where you’ll have to worry about running into surfers. However, you will have to look out for other beach goers in the water as this beach can get crowded.
Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey
The waves here can be rather large and suited to the more advanced boogie boarder. The Jenks Pro bodyboarding competition has been held at this beach. Below is a video of the Jenks Pro competition where you can get a sense of how large the waves can be here.
Newport Beach, California
The Wedge within Newport Beach, is a well-known boogie boarding spot. This spot is only for the most experienced boogie boarders. It is known for having waves up to 30 feet tall. It is a great spot for watching boogie boarders and surfers ride these extreme waves.
North Shores of Oahu, Hawaii
This area is known as the pipeline and largely regarded as one of the best boogie boarding spots in the world. The Women’s Pipeline Bodyboarding Championship in 2022 was held here. Below you can see a video of legendary boogie boarders, Jeff and Dave Hubbard riding some of the waves in Pipeline.
Final thoughts
Now that you know some great places to boogie board, make sure you read how to boogie board, check out our tips for getting started, and what you need to boogie board.