New York
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at West End, New York. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 3–4ft, 10s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on SE swell at 9s with barely a breath of wind. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 18mph and poor by then.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on S swell at 6s with light winds out of the WSW. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor - fair by then.
Mon, May 18: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 8s and 8mph from the E. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 7s with 8mph from the SW. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 15mph and poor by then.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on SE swell at 14s and moderate SW wind around 10mph. Onshore flow builds through the day to 19mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
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West End is a sandy beach break located at the western tip of Long Beach Island in New York, where the Atlantic Ocean meets Reynolds Channel. The spot faces NNW toward the open water, picking up a mix of south and southeast swells that wrap around the barrier island and produce punchy, often unpredictable peaks. Its unique position at the channel mouth creates sandbar-enhanced waves and occasional rip-assisted paddle-outs that reward experienced surfers willing to read the shifting conditions.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at West End is 3-4ft with a 9.25s swell period. Wind is SSW 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 West End is 3-4ft, produced by a 3.3ft SE primary 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 West End is Sunday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 3ft waves, a 6.15s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
West End works best with a SSE swell and NNW 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 West End. 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.
West End is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. West End is a sandy beach break located at the western tip of Long Beach Island in New York, where the Atlantic Ocean meets Reynolds Channel. The spot faces NNW toward the open water, picking up a mix of south and southeast swells that wrap around the barrier island and produce punchy, often unpredictable peaks. Its unique position at the channel mouth creates sandbar-enhanced waves and occasional rip-assisted paddle-outs that reward experienced surfers willing to read the shifting conditions.
The prime season at West End 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 West End include strong currents, rip currents, channel traffic, shifting sandbars, crowds on good days. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our West End 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.
