New York
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Ditch Plains, New York. 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. Not the most exciting day — 3-4ft and poor - fair conditions with moderate S wind around 11mph.
Mon, May 11: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Fair - Good. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on SSE swell at 8s and 8mph from the NNW. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 7s with 10mph from the NNW. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor conditions with 15mph out of the SSW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 20mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 2-3ft and mostly poor with 20mph S winds.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Ditch Plains is the most iconic surf spot in New York — a two-mile stretch of peeling reef break in Montauk that produces longboard-friendly waves reminiscent of Malibu. A low rock shelf creates long, mellow rides ideal for learning, though fall hurricane swells can push it into intermediate territory. Expect heavy crowds year-round, especially summer when surf camps line the beach. Parking requires a permit from the Chamber of Commerce.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Ditch Plains is 3-4ft with a 8.2s swell period. Wind is S at 11mph 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 Ditch Plains is 3-4ft, produced by a 5.1ft SSE 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 Ditch Plains is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 7.6s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Ditch Plains works best with a S 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.
Tide plays a big role at Ditch Plains. 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.
Ditch Plains is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Ditch Plains is the most iconic surf spot in New York — a two-mile stretch of peeling reef break in Montauk that produces longboard-friendly waves reminiscent of Malibu. A low rock shelf creates long, mellow rides ideal for learning, though fall hurricane swells can push it into intermediate territory. Expect heavy crowds year-round, especially summer when surf camps line the beach. Parking requires a permit from the Chamber of Commerce.
The prime season at Ditch Plains 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 Ditch Plains include heavy crowds, rocky reef at low tide, strong currents during storms, permit-only parking. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Ditch Plains 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.
