New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Belmar, 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: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with moderate SE wind around 10mph.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on ESE swell at 7s with gentle N breeze — nothing amazing but surfable.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 8mph N winds.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with moderate SSW wind around 11mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 18mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on SSE swell at 6s with 8mph from the SW — nothing amazing but surfable. Afternoon breeze fills in to 15mph.
6s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Belmar is the epicenter of New Jersey surfing, with different avenues offering distinct characters — 8th Avenue is the locals' barrel spot with a fiercely territorial crew, while 16th Avenue and the public beaches provide more accessible peaks for the broader surf community. The east-facing beach picks up virtually every Atlantic swell, and fall hurricane season delivers punchy, hollow conditions over well-shaped sandbars. Home to multiple surf shops, competitions, and a deep surf culture, Belmar has been the heartbeat of Jersey Shore surfing for decades.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Belmar is 3-4ft with a 8.1s swell period. Wind is SE at 10mph 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 Belmar is 3-4ft, produced by a 3.5ft SE primary swell at 8s. 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 Belmar is Monday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 3ft waves, a 7.4s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Belmar 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 Belmar. 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.
Belmar is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Belmar is the epicenter of New Jersey surfing, with different avenues offering distinct characters — 8th Avenue is the locals' barrel spot with a fiercely territorial crew, while 16th Avenue and the public beaches provide more accessible peaks for the broader surf community. The east-facing beach picks up virtually every Atlantic swell, and fall hurricane season delivers punchy, hollow conditions over well-shaped sandbars. Home to multiple surf shops, competitions, and a deep surf culture, Belmar has been the heartbeat of Jersey Shore surfing for decades.
The prime season at Belmar 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 Belmar include crowds, localism, rip currents, strong currents, jetty pilings. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Belmar 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.
