New Jersey
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.
Sat, May 16: 2–3ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on E swell at 10s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 20mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on ESE swell at 8s and light winds out of the W. Onshore flow builds through the day to 13mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 6s with light winds out of the SW. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor - fair by then.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 8s and 10mph SW winds. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 18mph and poor by then.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SE swell at 8s with moderate SSW wind around 10mph. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 19mph and poor by then.
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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 2-3ft with a 9.4s swell period. Wind is SSW at 7mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Surf City is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.9ft E primary swell at 10s, a 1.7ft SSE secondary swell at 9s. 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 Sunday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 4ft waves, a 6.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
