Great Lakes Surfing FAQ

Everything you need to know about surfing the Great Lakes: when the waves come, where to surf on each lake, what wetsuit to wear and how to stay safe. Answers from the Surf the Greats crew, surfing freshwater since 2014.

Last updated: October 2026

Jump to: Surfing the Great Lakes: the basics · Where to surf on each lake · Gear for Great Lakes surfing · Forecasting and safety · About Surf the Greats

Surfing the Great Lakes: the basics

Can you surf the Great Lakes?

Yes. All five Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario) get surfable waves. Instead of ocean swell, lake waves are made by strong wind blowing across long stretches of open water. On a good day, waves run from waist-high to overhead, and big fall storms can produce much larger surf, especially on Lake Superior.

Thousands of people surf the lakes every year, from Toronto and Kincardine in Ontario to Sheboygan, Chicago, Marquette and Duluth in the U.S.

How do waves form on the Great Lakes?

Great Lakes waves are wind swell. You need sustained wind of roughly 30 km/h (about 20 mph) or more, blowing for 3–4 hours or longer over a long stretch of open water (the fetch). The longer and stronger the wind blows, the bigger the waves.

Lake waves have a much shorter period than ocean waves, usually about 4–8 seconds between waves versus 10–20 seconds in the ocean. That makes them steeper and closer together, and they die off quickly once the wind stops. Lake surfers usually paddle out while the wind is still blowing, or right after it shifts or drops and the surf starts to clean up.

When is the best time to surf the Great Lakes?

Fall is the best season, followed by winter and spring. The lake surf season runs from roughly late August or September through April or May.

• Fall (Sept–Dec): the most frequent storms and the most consistent waves, while the water is still relatively warm.
• Winter (Dec–Mar): powerful storms and empty lineups on lakes that don't freeze over. This is serious cold-water surfing.
• Spring (Mar–May): waves keep coming as ice clears, though the water is at its coldest.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): mostly flat, but passing storms and thunderstorm fronts can bring short, fun windows.

A big difference between air and water temperature tends to mean stronger winds and better swell, which is why fall is so good.

How big do Great Lakes waves get?

Most surfable days are 2–6 ft. Strong fall and winter storms push some spots well overhead. Lake Superior, the biggest and deepest of the lakes, produces the largest waves. In October 2017, an offshore buoy near Marquette, Michigan measured a wave of about 29 ft.

Is surfing the Great Lakes good for beginners?

Yes, on the right day. Small, clean summer and early-fall days are ideal for learning. Start on a soft-top board in the right wetsuit, surf with friends, and think about a lesson with a local surf school. Skip big, stormy days and winter sessions until you're comfortable. Read our surfing etiquette and safety tips before you go.

Where to surf on each lake

Can you surf Lake Ontario?

Yes. Lake Ontario has one of the most active lake surf scenes anywhere, centred on Toronto, Hamilton and Burlington. The lake is deep and rarely freezes over, so it gets surf all winter. The best waves come with strong east, northeast or southwest winds.

Where can you surf in Toronto?

Popular Toronto-area surf spots include:

• Ashbridges Bay / Woodbine Beach (east end)
• Bluffer's Park (Scarborough, below the Scarborough Bluffs)
• Marie Curtis Park (Etobicoke, at the mouth of Etobicoke Creek)
• Beachway Park (Burlington) and the Hamilton beach strip

East and northeast winds usually favour the city beaches, and southwest winds favour other breaks. Always check water quality after heavy rain. Shop the Lake Ontario collection.

Can you surf Lake Huron and Georgian Bay?

Yes. Ontario's Lake Huron shoreline is one of the most consistent surf coasts in the Great Lakes. Well-known areas include Kincardine (Station Beach), Sauble Beach, Goderich and Grand Bend. The east shore of Huron works best on north, northwest and west winds. The south shore of Georgian Bay also catches waves on northwest, north and west winds. Shop the Lake Huron collection.

Can you surf Lake Erie?

Yes. Lake Erie is the shallowest Great Lake, so it builds waves fast. Strong southwest and west winds push surf onto the eastern end of the lake, and Cleveland, Erie (Pennsylvania) and Buffalo all have dedicated crews. Because it's shallow, Erie usually freezes over in mid-winter, which ends the season earlier than on Lake Ontario or Lake Michigan. Shop the Lake Erie collection.

Can you surf Lake Michigan?

Yes. Lake Michigan has a big surf community. Sheboygan, Wisconsin is known as the "Malibu of the Midwest." Other spots include Chicago, which allows surfing at designated beaches, Whiting, Indiana, and Michigan's west coast towns like Grand Haven and Muskegon. North winds that blow down the length of the lake send swell to the southern shore.

Can you surf Lake Superior?

Yes. Lake Superior gets the biggest and most powerful waves in the Great Lakes, along with the coldest water. Marquette, Michigan and Duluth, Minnesota are the best-known hubs, and Northern Ontario's remote shoreline is home to a small, dedicated crew. Read about the Waasaashkaa Surf Festival in Northern Ontario.

Gear for Great Lakes surfing

What thickness wetsuit do I need for the Great Lakes?

It depends on the season. As a rule of thumb:

• Summer: 3/2 mm to 4/3 mm full suit
• Late spring and early fall: 4/3 mm to 5/4 mm, plus booties
• November to April: 5/4 mm or 6/5 mm hooded suit, with 5–7 mm boots and 5–7 mm gloves or mitts

Your wetsuit is the most important piece of gear for lake surfing. If you can only buy one, buy the warmest suit and leave the hood, gloves and boots at home on warmer days. Read the full cold water wetsuit guide.

How cold is the water in the Great Lakes?

In late summer, surface water on Lakes Ontario, Erie and Michigan can reach the high teens to low 20s °C (65–75 °F). In winter it drops to around 0–4 °C (32–39 °F), and lake surfers often deal with snow, shore ice and ice chunks in the water. Lake Superior stays cold all year. Upwelling can also suddenly drop nearshore temperatures on any lake, even in summer.

What surfboard is best for the Great Lakes?

Fresh water is less buoyant than salt water, and lake waves are short-period and often weak. Most lake surfers ride more volume than they would in the ocean: fish, groveler-style boards, mid-lengths and longboards. Beginners should start on a soft-top. Learn more in choosing your first hardboard and 4 types of surfboards to add to your quiver. On flat days, a surfskate keeps you sharp: see our guide to choosing a Carver.

Forecasting and safety

How do you forecast surf on the Great Lakes?

Watch the wind, not ocean swell charts. Look for strong, sustained wind blowing toward your beach across a long stretch of open water. Then check that the waves are actually there using marine forecasts and buoy data, for example Environment Canada marine forecasts, NOAA's Great Lakes buoys (NDBC and GLERL), and wind apps like Windy. Ocean-focused surf apps often miss on the lakes, so local knowledge and real-time observations matter most.

Is surfing the Great Lakes safe?

Lake surfing is safe when you're prepared, but conditions can be serious. The main risks are:

• Cold water and hypothermia: wear the right wetsuit, limit session length, and bring warm layers and a hot drink.
• Currents: rip currents and currents along piers and breakwalls are a real danger on the Great Lakes.
• Ice and structures: stay clear of piers, rocks and floating ice.
• Water quality: bacteria levels can rise after heavy rain. Check local beach water quality reports before you go.

Never surf alone, pick spots that match your ability, and tell someone where you're going.

Is it legal to surf the Great Lakes?

In most places, yes. Surfing is allowed at most public beaches on the Great Lakes, but some cities limit it to certain beaches, seasons or times. Chicago, for example, allows surfing at designated beaches. Check local beach rules and posted signs, and respect private property and industrial areas.

About Surf the Greats

What is Surf the Greats?

Surf the Greats is a Great Lakes surf brand started in Toronto in 2014 for the freshwater surf community. We make T-shirts, crewnecks and hoodies inspired by lake surf culture, and we publish the Surf the Greats Journal, a learning centre with guides, interviews and stories about surfing Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan and Superior. Learn more about us.