New York
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Main Beach, 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, 9s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 4-5ft waves on SE swell at 9s and glassy conditions. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 16mph and poor by then.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on S swell at 6s with light winds out of the SW. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor by then.
Mon, May 18: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Skip the dawn patrol — 3-4ft and poor - fair early on. Winds back off through the day and conditions clean up to fair by PM.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Midday is the call — 2-3ft waves with 11mph SW winds and poor - fair conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning. Don't wait too long — the wind comes back up after lunch.
Wed, May 20: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on SSE swell at 9s and 12mph from the SW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 17mph from the SW and dropping conditions to poor.
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Main Beach in East Hampton, New York is a classic Long Island beach break sitting along the South Fork's Atlantic-facing shoreline, offering fun and forgiving waves that attract surfers of all skill levels. Facing northwest at 320°, the break benefits most from south to southeast swells generated by Atlantic storms, with fall hurricane season delivering the most consistent and powerful surf. The wide sandy beach and relatively mellow wave shape make it a welcoming spot for beginners while still offering enjoyable rides for more experienced surfers on the right swell.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Main Beach is 4-5ft with a 9.45s swell period. Wind is SSW at 9mph 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 Main Beach is 4-5ft, produced by a 2.2ft 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 Main Beach is Sunday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 4ft waves, a 6.45s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Main Beach works best with a SSE swell and NW 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 Main Beach. 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.
Main Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Main Beach in East Hampton, New York is a classic Long Island beach break sitting along the South Fork's Atlantic-facing shoreline, offering fun and forgiving waves that attract surfers of all skill levels. Facing northwest at 320°, the break benefits most from south to southeast swells generated by Atlantic storms, with fall hurricane season delivering the most consistent and powerful surf. The wide sandy beach and relatively mellow wave shape make it a welcoming spot for beginners while still offering enjoyable rides for more experienced surfers on the right swell.
The prime season at Main Beach 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 Main Beach include strong currents, rip currents, crowds during summer, lifeguard restrictions, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Main Beach 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.
