New York
The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3+ft waves, strong SW wind at 16mph, very poor conditions.
The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3+ft waves, strong SW wind at 16mph, very poor conditions.
Best window·Sunday 2PM–5PM·2-3+ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Fair Harbor, 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: 2–3+ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3+ft waves, 15mph SW winds, poor conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Midday is the call — 1-2ft waves with gentle WNW breeze and poor - fair conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on NNE swell at 5s with 17mph N winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Sun, Sep 6: 2–3+ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Morning kicks off with 2-3+ft on ENE swell at 6s.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on E swell at 10s with moderate NNW wind around 11mph. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
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 Fair Harbor turns Good.
Check Fair Harbor from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Fair Harbor is a mellow beach break nestled on the Fire Island barrier island off the south shore of Long Island, New York, facing the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The spot picks up south and southeast swells generated by Atlantic storms and tropical systems, producing fun, rolling waves that are well-suited for beginners and longboarders. Its remote, car-free island setting gives it a laid-back vibe, and fall hurricane season swells can push surf quality to a surprisingly respectable level for the New York region.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Fair Harbor is 2-3+ft with a 6.1s swell period. Wind is SW at 17mph. 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 Fair Harbor is 2-3+ft, produced by a 2.5ft ESE 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 Fair Harbor is Sunday from 2 PM to 5 PM with 3ft waves, a 6.3s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Fair Harbor works best with a S swell and NNW 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 Fair Harbor. 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.
Fair Harbor is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Fair Harbor is a mellow beach break nestled on the Fire Island barrier island off the south shore of Long Island, New York, facing the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The spot picks up south and southeast swells generated by Atlantic storms and tropical systems, producing fun, rolling waves that are well-suited for beginners and longboarders. Its remote, car-free island setting gives it a laid-back vibe, and fall hurricane season swells can push surf quality to a surprisingly respectable level for the New York region.
The prime season at Fair Harbor 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 Fair Harbor include strong rip currents, shifting sandbars, ferry traffic nearby, jellyfish, crowded summer beach. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Fair Harbor 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).
