New York
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.
Sat, May 16: 3–4ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 3-4ft waves, 12mph from the SSW, poor - fair conditions. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on S swell at 7s with 8mph from the WSW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 14mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Skip the dawn patrol — 2-3ft and poor early on. Winds back off through the day and conditions clean up to poor - fair by PM.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, moderate SW wind around 11mph, poor - fair conditions. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
Wed, May 20: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor conditions with 16mph SW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 23mph.
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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 3-4ft with a 9.05s swell period. Wind is SSW 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 Ditch Plains is 3-4ft, produced by a 3.2ft SE primary 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 Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 6.15s 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
