New York
Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on SE swell at 6s with 11mph from the SW.
Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on SE swell at 6s with 11mph from the SW.
Best window·Monday 6AM–9AM·2-3ft·Fair - Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Ditch Plains, New York. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Thu, Sep 3: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 2-3ft with 12mph SW winds. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the NW.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 14mph out of the N.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on NE swell at 5s with strong NNE wind at 17mph. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, Sep 7: 2–3ft, 10s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on E swell at 10s with 13mph N winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when Ditch Plains turns Good.
Check Ditch Plains from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Ditch Plains is the most iconic surf spot in New York — a two-mile stretch of peeling reef break in Montauk that produces longboard-friendly waves reminiscent of Malibu. A low rock shelf creates long, mellow rides ideal for learning, though fall hurricane swells can push it into intermediate territory. Expect heavy crowds year-round, especially summer when surf camps line the beach. Parking requires a permit from the Chamber of Commerce.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Ditch Plains is 2-3ft with a 6.4s swell period. Wind is SW at 9mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Ditch Plains is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.6ft SSE wind swell swell at 6s, a 1.6ft SE secondary swell at 9s. 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 Ditch Plains is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 10.1s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Ditch Plains works best with a S swell and NW 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 Ditch Plains. 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.
Ditch Plains is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Ditch Plains is the most iconic surf spot in New York — a two-mile stretch of peeling reef break in Montauk that produces longboard-friendly waves reminiscent of Malibu. A low rock shelf creates long, mellow rides ideal for learning, though fall hurricane swells can push it into intermediate territory. Expect heavy crowds year-round, especially summer when surf camps line the beach. Parking requires a permit from the Chamber of Commerce.
The prime season at Ditch Plains 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 Ditch Plains include heavy crowds, rocky reef at low tide, strong currents during storms, permit-only parking. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Ditch Plains 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
