New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Manasquan, 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. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on ESE swell at 9s and calm winds. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 17mph from the S and dropping conditions to 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 light winds out of the WSW. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor by then.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with gentle WNW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 8mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the SW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 11mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 8s with moderate SW wind around 9mph. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 13mph and fair by then.
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
Manasquan Inlet is widely regarded as one of the best waves on the entire East Coast. The north jetty creates a wedging right-hander that can produce thick, heavy barrels capable of handling swells up to 20-foot faces. Tidal flow through the inlet constantly reshapes the sandbars and generates powerful currents that make this a wave for experienced surfers only. Fall hurricane swells and winter nor'easters are when Manasquan truly comes alive, drawing top-level surfers from across the region.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Manasquan is 3-4ft with a 9.3s swell period. Wind is SW at 6mph and conditions are rated Fair - Good. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Manasquan is 3-4ft, 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 Manasquan is Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 3ft waves, a 9.3s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Manasquan 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 Manasquan. 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.
Manasquan is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to advanced surfers. Manasquan Inlet is widely regarded as one of the best waves on the entire East Coast. The north jetty creates a wedging right-hander that can produce thick, heavy barrels capable of handling swells up to 20-foot faces. Tidal flow through the inlet constantly reshapes the sandbars and generates powerful currents that make this a wave for experienced surfers only. Fall hurricane swells and winter nor'easters are when Manasquan truly comes alive, drawing top-level surfers from across the region.
The prime season at Manasquan 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 Manasquan include strong inlet currents, jetty rocks, heavy shorebreak, localism, boat traffic, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Manasquan 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.
