New Jersey
Afternoon is the play — morning is only fair at 2-3+ft.
Afternoon is the play — morning is only fair at 2-3+ft.
Best window·Monday 7AM–10AM·3-4ft·Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Surf City, New Jersey. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Thu, Sep 3: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Fair. Afternoon is the play — morning is only fair at 2-3ft. Later in the day looks more promising — 2-3ft and very poor.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on SE swell at 8s with 13mph out of the W. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 16mph out of the N.
Sun, Sep 6: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. 2-3ft waves to start the day on NE swell at 4s.
Mon, Sep 7: 3–4ft, 10s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 3-4ft on ENE swell at 8s with moderate NW wind around 10mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
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Check Surf City from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Surf City is a classic Long Beach Island beach break offering fun, forgiving waves ideal for beginners and those building their skills. The east-facing Atlantic exposure picks up E and NE swells from coastal storms and hurricane remnants, with the sandy bottom producing rolling peaks across a wide stretch of shoreline. Fall brings the most consistent and powerful surf, and the laid-back barrier island vibe keeps the atmosphere welcoming.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Surf City is 2-3+ft with a 5.9s swell period. Wind is SW at 9mph. Conditions are rated Fair - Good. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Surf City is 2-3+ft, produced by a 2.5ft E wind swell swell at 6s, a 1.7ft SE 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 Surf City is Monday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.1s swell period, and conditions rated Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Surf City 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 Surf City. 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.
Surf City is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Surf City is a classic Long Beach Island beach break offering fun, forgiving waves ideal for beginners and those building their skills. The east-facing Atlantic exposure picks up E and NE swells from coastal storms and hurricane remnants, with the sandy bottom producing rolling peaks across a wide stretch of shoreline. Fall brings the most consistent and powerful surf, and the laid-back barrier island vibe keeps the atmosphere welcoming.
The prime season at Surf City 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 Surf City include rip currents, seasonal crowds, cold water, stingrays. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Surf City 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).
