Delaware
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Dewey Beach, Delaware. 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, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 9s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 16mph from the SSE and dropping conditions to poor.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 6s and 9mph from the WSW. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light WSW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 9mph.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SE swell at 7s with 10mph from the SW. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Fair. Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 8s with 13mph SW winds. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
Dewey Beach is a classic mid-Atlantic beach break offering accessible, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. Located along Delaware's resort-oriented coastline, this sandy bottom break receives consistent swell during autumn and winter months when Atlantic storms generate quality waves. The beach's proximity to the Delaware Bay inlet and residential areas makes it a popular but manageable spot for surfers of all levels seeking reliable conditions.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Dewey Beach is 2-3ft with a 9.4s swell period. Wind is S at 9mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Dewey Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.4ft ESE primary swell at 9s, a 0.7ft SSW wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Dewey Beach is Sunday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.4s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Dewey Beach 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 Dewey Beach. 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.
Dewey Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Dewey Beach is a classic mid-Atlantic beach break offering accessible, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. Located along Delaware's resort-oriented coastline, this sandy bottom break receives consistent swell during autumn and winter months when Atlantic storms generate quality waves. The beach's proximity to the Delaware Bay inlet and residential areas makes it a popular but manageable spot for surfers of all levels seeking reliable conditions.
The prime season at Dewey Beach 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 Dewey Beach include inlet currents, seasonal rip currents, crowded on weekends. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Dewey Beach 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.
