Virginia
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Chincoteague, Virginia. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on SE swell at 7s with 8mph SSE winds — nothing amazing but surfable.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Skip the dawn patrol — 2-3ft and poor early on. Afternoon shapes up better with 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Hold off if you can — morning starts out poor with 1-2ft waves. Afternoon shapes up better with 2-3ft and fair conditions.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate S wind around 10mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 17mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Fair. Consistent 2-3ft surf through the day on SSE swell at 5s with 11mph NW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 18mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Chincoteague is a sheltered beach break on Virginia's Eastern Shore, offering forgiving, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom and gentle slope create consistent, manageable peaks that work best during autumn swells and nor'easters. This quiet, uncrowded barrier island spot provides a peaceful alternative to busier mid-Atlantic breaks, with the bonus of wild ponies roaming the nearby dunes.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Chincoteague is 2-3ft with a 7.25s swell period. Wind is SSE at 8mph 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 Chincoteague is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.8ft SE primary swell at 7s, a 0.3ft ESE 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 Chincoteague is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 5.3s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Chincoteague 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 Chincoteague. 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.
Chincoteague is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Chincoteague is a sheltered beach break on Virginia's Eastern Shore, offering forgiving, rolling waves ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers. The sandy bottom and gentle slope create consistent, manageable peaks that work best during autumn swells and nor'easters. This quiet, uncrowded barrier island spot provides a peaceful alternative to busier mid-Atlantic breaks, with the bonus of wild ponies roaming the nearby dunes.
The prime season at Chincoteague 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 Chincoteague include occasional strong currents, shallow water at low tide. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Chincoteague 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.
