New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Wildwood, 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, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 10s with calm winds. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 21mph and poor by then.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on SSE swell at 7s with light winds out of the WSW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the S and dropping conditions to poor - fair.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, light SSW winds, 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.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 2-3ft with moderate SW wind around 8mph. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning. Don't wait too long — the wind comes back up after lunch.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Aim for the middle of the day — 3-4ft on SE swell at 8s with 11mph SSW winds. 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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Wildwood is known for its exceptionally wide beaches — some of the widest on the East Coast — and produces fun, mellow waves suited for beginners and intermediate surfers. The SE-facing coastline picks up swells from tropical systems and nor'easters, with NW offshore winds creating clean conditions. The long paddle out across the wide, shallow beach means waves tend to be well-formed by the time they reach the sandbars, and the family-friendly boardwalk atmosphere keeps the vibe relaxed.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Wildwood 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 Wildwood is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.4ft ESE primary swell at 10s, a 1.3ft SSE secondary swell at 9s, a 1ft SW 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 Wildwood is Sunday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 4ft waves, a 8.3s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Wildwood works best with a SE swell and NW 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 Wildwood. 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.
Wildwood is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Wildwood is known for its exceptionally wide beaches — some of the widest on the East Coast — and produces fun, mellow waves suited for beginners and intermediate surfers. The SE-facing coastline picks up swells from tropical systems and nor'easters, with NW offshore winds creating clean conditions. The long paddle out across the wide, shallow beach means waves tend to be well-formed by the time they reach the sandbars, and the family-friendly boardwalk atmosphere keeps the vibe relaxed.
The prime season at Wildwood 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 Wildwood include shorebreak, tourists in summer. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Wildwood 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.
