Redondo Breakwater

Redondo Breakwater is a fast, hollow left that breaks along the front of the King Harbor jetty, amplified and refracted by the structure itself. The wave can reach 20 feet on larger swells and is characterized by quick takeoffs and powerful sections, best accessed on lower tides with a west-northwest swell and offshore east wind. The break sits in shallow water over sand and rocks near the jetty, making it an intermediate-to-advanced spot that demands experience and awareness of the sharp transitions and accelerating walls typical of jetty-adjacent breaks.

The Redondo Breakwater has been surfed since at least the 1960s, when lifeguards first intervened during a major swell. That same era saw photographers and filmmakers recognize its rare combination of height and proximity to shore—dubbed the South Bay's answer to Pipeline—making it a prized location for action sequences. The spot attracted top talents including Mike Doyle and Greg Noll, and later became the backdrop for John Severson's "Pacific Vibrations" film. The South Bay Boardriders Club continues to hold competitions here, including an annual big wave challenge where notable rides are documented.

Parking is accessible at the top of the breakwall and through King Harbor, with direct entry from the jetty structure itself that requires careful timing. The location is notably prone to water quality issues due to a nearby storm drain, with conditions deteriorating significantly after rainfall. Hazards include strong rip currents, man-made buoys, a punishing shorebreak at the wave's end, and a local crew that maintains territorial presence.