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. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SE swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 19mph and poor by then.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 4-5ft 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 Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on S swell at 8s with moderate ENE wind around 7mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions with 7mph from the SW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
Wed, May 20: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and poor - fair with 9mph SW winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
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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 9.35s swell period. Wind is SSW at 7mph and conditions are rated 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 2.8ft 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 Fair Harbor 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.
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.
