Swell Intel

Ditch Plains Surf Forecast, New York

New York

Fortress5-6ftAtlantic Terrace3-4ftNorth Bar0-1ft
Ditch Plains surf spot

Current Conditions

Poor
Wave Height
3-4ft
chest to head high
Swell Period
7.9s
Wind
18mph
SSW / Gusts 28mph
Conditions
Poor
Active Swells
Wind Swell
7.7ft @ 8sSSW

Nearest Webcam

Daily Forecast

3 of 5 days
Tue, Mar 313-4ft
Poor
6am9am12pm3pm
Wed, Apr 15-6ft
Poor

Patience pays off today — morning is poor with 4-5ft. The breeze eases and things smooth out to poor - fair by PM.

6am9am12pm3pm
9s S|13-23mph SW
Thu, Apr 23-4ft
Poor - Fair

Patience pays off today — morning is poor - fair with 2-3ft. Things come together by the afternoon with 2-3ft at fair.

6am9am12pm3pm
7s S|19-21mph NE
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Sat
2ft
Swell building Fri, Apr 3Poor

6s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast

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Forecast Charts

Ditch Plains Surf Spot Guide

Break
Reef
Bottom
Rock
Level
Beginner
Crowd
Heavy
Best Swell
S
Best Wind
NW
Season
Fall

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.

Heavy crowdsRocky reef at low tideStrong currents during stormsPermit-only parking

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Ditch Plains Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Ditch Plains?
The current wave height at Ditch Plains is 3-4ft with a 7.9s swell period. Wind is SSW at 18mph. Conditions are rated Poor.
How accurate is the Ditch Plains surf forecast?
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.
What is the breaking wave height at Ditch Plains?
The current breaking wave height at Ditch Plains is 3-4ft, produced by a 7.7ft SSW wind swell swell at 8s. 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.
When is the best time to surf Ditch Plains?
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Ditch Plains is Wednesday from 3 PM to 6 PM with 4ft waves, a 8.35s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.