New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Ortley Beach, 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. Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on E swell at 10s with 19mph out of the SSE.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on S swell at 6s with moderate WSW wind around 9mph. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 17mph and poor by then.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on SE swell at 7s with gentle WNW breeze. Onshore flow builds through the day to 10mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light SW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 8mph from the SW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.
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Ortley Beach is a forgiving sandy beach break located on New Jersey's central shore, offering accessible waves for beginners and intermediate surfers. The beach break produces consistent, peaky waves across a wide stretch of sand, making it ideal for learning and progression. As a popular local spot with good infrastructure nearby, Ortley provides a welcoming atmosphere for both locals and visiting surfers looking to enjoy reliable Atlantic swell.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Ortley Beach is 2-3ft with a 9.55s swell period. Wind is SSE at 8mph 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 Ortley Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.5ft E primary swell at 10s, a 1.7ft SE secondary swell at 8s, a 0.6ft SSW wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Ortley Beach is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.45s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Ortley Beach 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 Ortley 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.
Ortley Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Ortley Beach is a forgiving sandy beach break located on New Jersey's central shore, offering accessible waves for beginners and intermediate surfers. The beach break produces consistent, peaky waves across a wide stretch of sand, making it ideal for learning and progression. As a popular local spot with good infrastructure nearby, Ortley provides a welcoming atmosphere for both locals and visiting surfers looking to enjoy reliable Atlantic swell.
The prime season at Ortley 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 Ortley Beach include crowded during summer months, rip currents, beach hazards. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Ortley 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.
