New York
Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate SW wind around 12mph.
Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate SW wind around 12mph.
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at North Bar for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at North Bar, New York. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Thu, Sep 3: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 12mph SW winds.
Fri, Sep 4: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 8mph WNW winds.
Sat, Sep 5: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 19mph out of the N.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. 0-1ft waves to start the day on NE swell at 4s.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 11s period, rated Poor. 1-2ft waves to start the day on ESE swell at 10s.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when North Bar turns Good.
Check North Bar from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
North Bar is a rare east-facing reef break on Montauk's north side toward Block Island Sound, picking up east swells that the south-facing spots miss entirely. This makes it a valuable option on different swell patterns than Ditch Plains or Turtles. Best season is spring when east swells are more common, though clean surfable conditions are rare — rewarding patience with quality right-hand walls over the reef.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at North Bar is 0-1ft with a 6.3s swell period. Wind is SSW at 8mph. 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 North Bar is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.7ft SE wind swell swell at 6s, a 1.2ft SE secondary 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 North Bar is Monday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 1ft waves, a 10.3s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
North Bar works best with a E swell and SW 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 North Bar. 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.
North Bar is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. North Bar is a rare east-facing reef break on Montauk's north side toward Block Island Sound, picking up east swells that the south-facing spots miss entirely. This makes it a valuable option on different swell patterns than Ditch Plains or Turtles. Best season is spring when east swells are more common, though clean surfable conditions are rare — rewarding patience with quality right-hand walls over the reef.
The prime season at North Bar is spring, 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 North Bar include rocks, rip currents, jellyfish, inconsistent — fickle spot. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our North Bar 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
