New Jersey
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Surf City for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1ft and mostly poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 17mph by PM.
Wed, Jul 1: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1ft and mostly poor with 11mph SSW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 22mph.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2ft waves on SE swell at 10s with 10mph from the SW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 16mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Fri, Jul 3: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the WSW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 14mph by PM.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with gentle W breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 15mph by PM.
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 1ft with a 9s swell period. Wind is SSE at 11mph 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 Surf City is 1ft, produced by a 1.8ft ESE primary swell at 9s, a 1ft S 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 Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 5.45s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
