Virginia
Aim for the middle of the day — 1-2ft on ESE swell at 9s with moderate E wind around 8mph.
Aim for the middle of the day — 1-2ft on ESE swell at 9s with moderate E wind around 8mph.
Best window·Tuesday 6AM–9AM·2-3ft·Fair
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on ESE swell at 9s with 8mph E winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on SSE swell at 6s with 12mph SW winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on S swell at 4s with 14mph out of the WNW. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Sun, Sep 6: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and very poor conditions with strong NNE wind at 17mph.
Mon, Sep 7: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 2-3+ft and very poor with 14mph out of the NE.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Poor today — get one free email when Sandbridge turns Good.
Check Sandbridge from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 8.8s swell period. Wind is E at 8mph. 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 1.5ft ESE primary swell at 9s, a 1.3ft NE wind swell swell at 6s. 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 Tuesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 9.9s 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. 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).
