Maryland
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Ocean City, MD, Maryland. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Expect 1-2ft waves early on E swell at 10s. Wind increases to 17mph from the S.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Fair - Good. The sweet spot is around midday — 4-5ft waves, 8mph WNW winds, good conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up. Sea breeze fills back in by mid-afternoon so get on it early.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on S swell at 4s with 7mph from the SW. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 11mph and poor by then.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SE swell at 9s with moderate SW wind around 10mph. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 16mph and poor - fair by then.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor - fair with 11mph from the SSW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 16mph by PM.
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Ocean City offers accessible beach breaks along Maryland's Atlantic coast, featuring sandy bottom waves that are perfect for learners and intermediate surfers. The spot benefits from autumn swells generated by Atlantic storms and hurricanes, with consistent peaks forming along the developed beachfront. The town's abundant amenities, shallow wave faces, and forgiving sandy bottom make this a welcoming destination for surf travelers exploring the Mid-Atlantic region.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Ocean City, MD is 1-2+ft with a 9.3s swell period. Wind is S at 12mph 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 Ocean City, MD is 1-2+ft, produced by a 2.4ft E primary swell at 10s, a 1.4ft SE secondary swell at 9s, a 1.2ft SSW wind swell swell at 3s. 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 Ocean City, MD is Sunday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 4ft waves, a 8.3s swell period, and conditions rated Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Ocean City, MD 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 Ocean City, MD. 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.
Ocean City, MD is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Ocean City offers accessible beach breaks along Maryland's Atlantic coast, featuring sandy bottom waves that are perfect for learners and intermediate surfers. The spot benefits from autumn swells generated by Atlantic storms and hurricanes, with consistent peaks forming along the developed beachfront. The town's abundant amenities, shallow wave faces, and forgiving sandy bottom make this a welcoming destination for surf travelers exploring the Mid-Atlantic region.
The prime season at Ocean City, MD 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 Ocean City, MD include crowded beach during summer months, strong rip currents, occasional pier pilings near breaks, seasonal water temperature extremes. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Ocean City, MD 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.
