New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Avalon, New Jersey. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 10mph from the S.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 12mph from the NNE.
Tue, May 12: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate N wind around 8mph.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 12mph from the S. Afternoon breeze fills in to 17mph.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Morning kicks off with 1-2ft on SSE swell at 6s. Expect 15mph WNW winds by the afternoon.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Avalon is a mellow beach break on the southern New Jersey coast, offering forgiving sandbars and rolling waves ideal for beginners and longboarders. The east-facing Atlantic exposure picks up E to NE swells from nor'easters and tropical systems, with fall delivering the most consistent and powerful surf. Its wide beaches, upscale community vibe, and relatively uncrowded lineups compared to more famous Jersey Shore spots make it a pleasant place to surf.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Avalon is 1-2ft with a 8.05s 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 Avalon is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.8ft SE primary swell at 8s, a 0.3ft SE secondary swell at 13s. 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 Avalon is Thursday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 2ft waves, a 5.85s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Avalon 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 Avalon. 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.
Avalon is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Avalon is a mellow beach break on the southern New Jersey coast, offering forgiving sandbars and rolling waves ideal for beginners and longboarders. The east-facing Atlantic exposure picks up E to NE swells from nor'easters and tropical systems, with fall delivering the most consistent and powerful surf. Its wide beaches, upscale community vibe, and relatively uncrowded lineups compared to more famous Jersey Shore spots make it a pleasant place to surf.
The prime season at Avalon 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 Avalon include rip currents, crowded summer beach traffic, shifting sandbars, jellyfish. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Avalon 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.
