Virginia
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Sandbridge, Virginia. 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. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 16mph.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 10mph SW winds.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light winds out of the SW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with moderate SW wind around 8mph. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 16mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 8mph SSW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 15mph.
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Sandbridge is a long, sandy beach break located at the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula where the Atlantic Ocean meets the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. The WSW-facing shore picks up south-running swells best during autumn when hurricanes and nor'easters generate consistent waves, making it an excellent destination for learners and intermediate surfers seeking forgiving, peeling beach breaks. The wide, sandy bottom provides soft landings and natural shape for wave progression, though the spot can get crowded during good conditions.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Sandbridge is 1-2ft with a 8.95s swell period. Wind is SSW at 8mph 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 Sandbridge is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.7ft E primary swell at 9s, a 1.1ft SE secondary swell at 8s, a 1ft S 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 Sandbridge is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 8.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Sandbridge works best with a ENE swell and WSW 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 Sandbridge. 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.
Sandbridge is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Sandbridge is a long, sandy beach break located at the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula where the Atlantic Ocean meets the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. The WSW-facing shore picks up south-running swells best during autumn when hurricanes and nor'easters generate consistent waves, making it an excellent destination for learners and intermediate surfers seeking forgiving, peeling beach breaks. The wide, sandy bottom provides soft landings and natural shape for wave progression, though the spot can get crowded during good conditions.
The prime season at Sandbridge 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 Sandbridge include rip currents, strong tidal flows, occasional jellyfish. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Sandbridge 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.
