New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Strathmere, 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 - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 9s with glassy conditions. Onshore flow builds through the day to 16mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
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 WSW. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor by then.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with glassy conditions. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions with moderate SW wind around 8mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 14mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, 11mph from the SW, fair conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning. Don't wait too long — the wind comes back up after lunch.
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Strathmere is a laid-back beach break tucked between Ocean City and Sea Isle City on a quiet stretch of the New Jersey barrier island coastline. The east-facing Atlantic exposure picks up E and ESE swells, producing mellow waves over a sandy bottom that are well-suited for beginners and longboarders. Its off-the-beaten-path feel keeps crowds thin compared to its more popular neighbors, making it a rewarding find for surfers seeking uncrowded New Jersey lineups.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Strathmere is 2-3ft with a 9.35s 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 Strathmere is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.2ft ESE primary swell at 10s, a 1.1ft SE secondary swell at 8s, a 0.5ft SSW tertiary 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 Strathmere is Wednesday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 3ft waves, a 5.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Strathmere 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 Strathmere. 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.
Strathmere is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Strathmere is a laid-back beach break tucked between Ocean City and Sea Isle City on a quiet stretch of the New Jersey barrier island coastline. The east-facing Atlantic exposure picks up E and ESE swells, producing mellow waves over a sandy bottom that are well-suited for beginners and longboarders. Its off-the-beaten-path feel keeps crowds thin compared to its more popular neighbors, making it a rewarding find for surfers seeking uncrowded New Jersey lineups.
The prime season at Strathmere 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 Strathmere include strong rip currents, shifting sandbars, occasional jellyfish, cold water in winter and spring. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Strathmere 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.
