New Jersey
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Long Branch for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on ESE swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 15mph and very poor by then.
Wed, Jul 1: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate SSW wind around 10mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 16mph by PM.
Thu, Jul 2: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on SSE swell at 6s and 8mph from the SW. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Fri, Jul 3: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light winds out of the NW.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light W winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 9mph.
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 1ft with a 9.05s swell period. Wind is SSE at 11mph 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 1ft, produced by a 1.5ft ESE primary swell at 9s, a 0.5ft S secondary swell at 5s, a 0.7ft S 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 Long Branch is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 5.9s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
