Delaware
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Dewey Beach, Delaware. 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 13mph out of the SE.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 18mph out of the NNE.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate NW wind around 8mph.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 4s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with moderate S wind around 10mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 18mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SSE swell at 6s and 11mph from the WNW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 15mph from the WNW and dropping conditions to poor.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Dewey Beach is a classic mid-Atlantic beach break offering accessible, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. Located along Delaware's resort-oriented coastline, this sandy bottom break receives consistent swell during autumn and winter months when Atlantic storms generate quality waves. The beach's proximity to the Delaware Bay inlet and residential areas makes it a popular but manageable spot for surfers of all levels seeking reliable conditions.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Dewey Beach is 1-2ft with a 8.2s swell period. Wind is SE at 14mph 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 Dewey Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 0.3ft ESE primary swell at 13s, a 2.7ft SE wind swell 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 Dewey Beach is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 5.55s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Dewey Beach 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 Dewey Beach. 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.
Dewey Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Dewey Beach is a classic mid-Atlantic beach break offering accessible, forgiving waves ideal for learning and progression. Located along Delaware's resort-oriented coastline, this sandy bottom break receives consistent swell during autumn and winter months when Atlantic storms generate quality waves. The beach's proximity to the Delaware Bay inlet and residential areas makes it a popular but manageable spot for surfers of all levels seeking reliable conditions.
The prime season at Dewey Beach 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 Dewey Beach include inlet currents, seasonal rip currents, crowded on weekends. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Dewey Beach 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.
