Swell Intel

56th St. Surf Forecast, New Jersey

New Jersey

Right now
Poor
overall conditions
1ft
ankle to knee high
Cross-shore·WSW 6–12 mph
Swell1.5ft @ 7s SE
TideHigh, falling · low 11:26 PM

Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at 56th St. for the cleanest windows.

56th St. 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at 56th St., New Jersey. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.

Wed, Jun 24: 11ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1ft waves and very poor conditions with barely a breath of wind.

Thu, Jun 25: 11ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with gentle SW breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.

Fri, Jun 26: 12ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light SSW winds.

Sat, Jun 27: 11ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and poor with 8mph ENE winds.

Sun, Jun 28: 11ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the ENE.

Daily Forecast

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56th St. Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Moderate
Best Swell
SE
Best Wind
NW
Season
Fall

56th Street is a quality beach break in Sea Isle City on the southern New Jersey coast, where the coastline angles to pick up SE swells particularly well from tropical systems and coastal storms. The shifting sandbars produce punchy, hollow peaks that reward experienced surfers, especially during fall hurricane season when powerful groundswells combine with NW offshore winds for clean, well-shaped conditions. A step up in consistency from the surrounding beaches.

Rip currentsShifting sandbarsCrowded lineups in summerCold water in winterStrong longshore drift

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

56th St. Surf Forecast FAQ

(9)

What is the current surf forecast for 56th St.?

The current wave height at 56th St. is 1ft with a 6.6s swell period. Wind is WSW at 6mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at 56th St.?

The current breaking wave height at 56th St. is 1ft, produced by a 1.5ft SE primary swell at 7s, a 0.7ft WSW wind swell swell at 3s. 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.

When is the best time to surf 56th St.?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf 56th St. is Friday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 4.9s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at 56th St.?

56th St. 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.

What tide is best at 56th St.?

Tide plays a big role at 56th St.. 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.

What kind of wave is 56th St. and who is it for?

56th St. is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. 56th Street is a quality beach break in Sea Isle City on the southern New Jersey coast, where the coastline angles to pick up SE swells particularly well from tropical systems and coastal storms. The shifting sandbars produce punchy, hollow peaks that reward experienced surfers, especially during fall hurricane season when powerful groundswells combine with NW offshore winds for clean, well-shaped conditions. A step up in consistency from the surrounding beaches.

When is the best season to surf 56th St.?

The prime season at 56th St. 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.

Are there any hazards to know about at 56th St.?

Common hazards at 56th St. include rip currents, shifting sandbars, crowded lineups in summer, cold water in winter, strong longshore drift. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the 56th St. surf forecast?

Our 56th St. 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.