New York
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Ditch Plains for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 2–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on SSE swell at 7s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 14mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to poor.
Wed, Jul 1: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and very poor with 15mph out of the SW.
Thu, Jul 2: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 3-4ft with 10mph WSW winds. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSW swell at 6s with 10mph WNW winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 16mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Sat, Jul 4: 2–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on SSW swell at 5s with moderate W wind around 8mph. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 22mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to very poor.
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 1-2ft with a 9s swell period. Wind is SSW at 12mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Ditch Plains is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.4ft SE primary swell at 9s, a 1.9ft 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 Ditch Plains is Thursday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 3ft waves, a 6.7s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
