New York
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Fair Harbor for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 2–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 19mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 2ft and very poor conditions with strong SW wind at 17mph. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 24mph.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Hold off if you can — morning starts out poor with 2-3ft waves. Winds back off through the day and conditions clean up to poor by PM.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2ft waves on S swell at 6s with light NW winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 12mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with gentle W breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
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 1-2ft with a 9.2s swell period. Wind is SSW at 17mph and 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 1-2ft, produced by a 1.3ft SSE primary swell at 9s, a 1.2ft SSW wind swell swell at 3s. 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 3ft waves, a 6.35s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
