New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Ocean Grove, 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 Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on ESE swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 17mph and poor by then.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SSE swell at 6s with gentle WSW breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 14mph from the SSE and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 8s with light winds out of the WNW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 9mph from the SE and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with gentle WSW breeze.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 9mph SW winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
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Ocean Grove is a mellow New Jersey beach break situated along the northern Monmouth County coastline, facing roughly eastward into the Atlantic and picking up swells generated by nor'easters and tropical systems alike. The sandy bottom produces forgiving, rolling waves that are well-suited to beginners and longboarders, though fall swells can push up more punchy, rideable peaks. Its historic seaside community setting gives it a relaxed, unhurried vibe that sets it apart from the more bustling Jersey Shore surf towns nearby.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Ocean Grove is 3-4ft with a 9.3s swell period. Wind is SW at 6mph 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 Ocean Grove 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 Ocean Grove is Sunday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 4ft waves, a 6.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Ocean Grove 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 Grove. 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 Grove is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Ocean Grove is a mellow New Jersey beach break situated along the northern Monmouth County coastline, facing roughly eastward into the Atlantic and picking up swells generated by nor'easters and tropical systems alike. The sandy bottom produces forgiving, rolling waves that are well-suited to beginners and longboarders, though fall swells can push up more punchy, rideable peaks. Its historic seaside community setting gives it a relaxed, unhurried vibe that sets it apart from the more bustling Jersey Shore surf towns nearby.
The prime season at Ocean Grove 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 Grove include rip currents, crowded summer beach, seasonal lifeguard restrictions, strong nor'easter shore break. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Ocean Grove 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.
