New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Long Branch, New Jersey. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Skip the dawn patrol — 1-2ft and poor early on. Later in the day looks more promising — 2-3ft and poor.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 6s with gentle WSW breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 14mph from the SSE and dropping conditions to poor.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light NNW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the WSW.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 8mph SW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 14mph.
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Long Branch is a classic New Jersey beach break situated along the Monmouth County coastline, offering mellow, forgiving waves that roll in from the Atlantic. The sandy bottom produces consistent peaks that work best on east to northeast swells, making it a favorite playground for beginners and longboarders looking to enjoy the Jersey Shore vibe. Fall brings the best combination of hurricane-generated swells and offshore winds, elevating this spot well above its summer fun-in-the-sun reputation.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Long Branch is 1-2+ft with a 9.3s swell period. Wind is SSW at 6mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Long Branch is 1-2+ft, produced by a 3.1ft ESE 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 Long Branch is Sunday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 2ft waves, a 6.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Long Branch works best with a E swell and W 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 Long Branch. 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.
Long Branch is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Long Branch is a classic New Jersey beach break situated along the Monmouth County coastline, offering mellow, forgiving waves that roll in from the Atlantic. The sandy bottom produces consistent peaks that work best on east to northeast swells, making it a favorite playground for beginners and longboarders looking to enjoy the Jersey Shore vibe. Fall brings the best combination of hurricane-generated swells and offshore winds, elevating this spot well above its summer fun-in-the-sun reputation.
The prime season at Long Branch 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 Long Branch include rip currents, crowded lineups in summer, beach closures, strong currents during storms. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Long Branch 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.
