Virginia
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Chincoteague, Virginia. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on E swell at 10s with calm winds. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 16mph and poor by then.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 3-4ft with light W winds. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 8s and moderate SW wind around 9mph. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 9s with 8mph SW winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 15mph from the S and dropping conditions to poor.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on ESE swell at 9s with moderate SSW wind around 10mph. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 15mph from the S and dropping conditions to poor.
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Chincoteague is a sheltered beach break on Virginia's Eastern Shore, offering forgiving, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom and gentle slope create consistent, manageable peaks that work best during autumn swells and nor'easters. This quiet, uncrowded barrier island spot provides a peaceful alternative to busier mid-Atlantic breaks, with the bonus of wild ponies roaming the nearby dunes.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Chincoteague is 2-3ft with a 9.25s swell period. Wind is S at 9mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Chincoteague is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.8ft E primary swell at 10s, a 1ft SE secondary swell at 8s, a 0.7ft SE tertiary swell at 9s, a 1.3ft SSW wind swell swell at 3s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Chincoteague is Sunday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 4ft waves, a 6s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Chincoteague works best with a E swell and W winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Chincoteague. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Chincoteague is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Chincoteague is a sheltered beach break on Virginia's Eastern Shore, offering forgiving, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom and gentle slope create consistent, manageable peaks that work best during autumn swells and nor'easters. This quiet, uncrowded barrier island spot provides a peaceful alternative to busier mid-Atlantic breaks, with the bonus of wild ponies roaming the nearby dunes.
The prime season at Chincoteague is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Chincoteague include occasional strong currents, shallow water at low tide. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Chincoteague forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
