Blackies

Blackies is a beach break in Newport Beach, CA, covered by a free live cam from Blackie’s By The Sea.

About the Break

Blackies is a beach break that works on south and southwest swells, picking up the same swell window as the Newport Pier area but with slightly less crowd pressure. It’s a solid all-around spot for longboarders and shortboarders alike. As a sand-bottom beach break, it’s generally well suited to longboarders, intermediate surfers, and anyone working on their pop-up — more forgiving than reef or point breaks, without a sharp takeoff zone or fixed hazard.

Surf Etiquette at Beach Breaks

Beach breaks tend to be more forgiving on etiquette than reef or point breaks: because the sandbars shift and there’s rarely one single best takeoff spot, the lineup is usually more spread out and less territorial. Still, the basics apply everywhere — the surfer closest to the peak has right of way, don’t drop in on someone already riding a wave, and take a moment to watch the lineup before paddling out if you’re new to it. Every break has its regulars, and a little patience goes a long way.

About the Cam Host

The cam is provided by Blackie’s By The Sea, a seaside bar at 2118 W Oceanfront, Newport Beach, California, founded by William “Blackie” Blackstock in 1953 and a fixture on the Newport Beach boardwalk for over 70 years. Watch Live Cam →

Location & Access

Blackies sits on the Pacific coast in Newport Beach, Orange County, California. See the California surf guide for the full regional picture →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Blackies surf cam free to watch? Yes — every cam in the directory is free and public, no login required.

Where exactly is the camera? At Blackie’s By The Sea in Newport Beach, CA — see the map above.

Are there other free surf cams nearby? Yes — see Nearby Live Cams below.