New York
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.
Sat, May 16: 3–4ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 3-4ft with moderate S wind around 11mph. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on S swell at 6s with 8mph from the SW. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor by then.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 8s with 7mph ENE winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor - fair with 7mph SW winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 12mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 9mph SW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.
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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 3-4ft with a 9.5s swell period. Wind is SSW at 10mph 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 Fair Harbor is 3-4ft, produced by a 2.5ft SE primary swell at 10s, a 0.6ft SW wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 7.7s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
