New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at States Avenue, 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 14mph out of the S. Don't wait too long — the wind comes back up after lunch.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on S swell at 6s with light winds out of the W. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and poor by then.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Midday is the call — 2-3ft waves with moderate SW wind around 11mph and poor - fair 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.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Aim for the middle of the day — 2-3ft on SE swell at 9s with 13mph SSW winds. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down. Afternoon wind picks back up so try to get wet before 2pm.
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States Avenue in Margate is a punchy beach break where the Atlantic City coastline starts curving southward, giving it a unique swell window that picks up S and SSE swells from tropical systems. The sandbars here can produce surprisingly hollow and fast-breaking waves during fall hurricane season, rewarding surfers who can read the shifting bottom contours. Northerly winds blow offshore at this stretch, making it a good option when NE winds are wrecking the east-facing beaches.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at States Avenue is 2-3ft with a 9.5s swell period. Wind is S at 7mph 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 States Avenue is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.4ft E primary swell at 10s, a 1.6ft SSE secondary swell at 9s, a 1ft 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 States Avenue is Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 2ft waves, a 9.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
States Avenue works best with a S swell and N 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 States Avenue. 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.
States Avenue is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. States Avenue in Margate is a punchy beach break where the Atlantic City coastline starts curving southward, giving it a unique swell window that picks up S and SSE swells from tropical systems. The sandbars here can produce surprisingly hollow and fast-breaking waves during fall hurricane season, rewarding surfers who can read the shifting bottom contours. Northerly winds blow offshore at this stretch, making it a good option when NE winds are wrecking the east-facing beaches.
The prime season at States Avenue 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 States Avenue include strong currents, shifting sandbars, crowded lineups during peak swells, cold water in winter, beach closures in summer. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our States Avenue 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.
