The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States—a jewel in the Golden State’s crown.
It’s iconic, beautiful, and if you’re a surfer, you can place one huge tick on your bucket list if find yourself surfing in San Francisco.
Surfing the “Novelty Wave” at Fort Point
Fort Point is a surf spot that breaks underneath the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA.
It is somewhat of a novelty (but a very interesting one nonetheless), but depending on when you go, it can also get very good.
The break at Fort Point is a left point break and it needs a good swell, which doesn’t always arrive.
There’s not much of interest here most of the year when the surf is flat, and for the rest of the time, Fort Point is not suitable for beginners. You see, when Ocean Beach is maxing out from winter storms those same swells wrap inside the San Francisco Bay and break at Fort Port at a fraction of the size, but still with consequence.
It can be fun, but you really need to know what you’re doing if you’re planning to surf underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.
Check out Surfline to see what the conditions are like before grabbing your wetsuit and your best surfboard.
Shortboards are best for surfing at Fort Point, but you can also take a fishboard.
Be wary of rocks, boulders, strong currents, and junk.
The locals may give you grief, as well.
Most surfers who have visited this break complain about “territorial locals” and “surf localism” and note that it can be very overcrowded.
It’s another reason to stay well clear if you’re a beginner or even an intermediate.
How Cold is the Water Underneath the Golden Gate Bridge?
The water temperature will depend on when you visit.
The warmest it gets is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and this happens from August to September.
Always check the water temperature before you go and make sure you’re properly prepared with a suitable wetsuit.
What’s Lurking Underneath the Golden Gate Bridge?
The waters underneath the Golden Gate Bridge are around 377 feet deep at the deepest point.
The many boats that have passed through the strait over the years (along with the harsh currents and foggy weather) have claimed countless ships and lives.
It’s also led to many myths about what could be lurking underneath the famous bridge, including great white sharks.
In 2014, many of those stories were put to rest when a team of researchers scanned the ocean floors and found multiple shipwrecks.
These wrecks included the Noonday, which sank on January 1, 1863; the S.S. Selja, which sank in 1910, and S.S. City of Chester, which had been lost for over 120 years before being discovered.
Is it Dangerous to Swim Underneath the Golden Gate Bridge?
It is very dangerous to swim underneath the Golden Gate Bridge and it is definitely not advised.
The currents are strong, the water is cold, and there are a lot of boats passing through.
There are many great places to go for a swim in San Francisco, but underneath the Golden Gate Bridge isn’t one of them.
