New York
Best window·Thursday 6AM–9AM·2ft·Fair
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.
Wed, Jun 24: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor - fair conditions with glassy conditions.
Thu, Jun 25: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 8s with gentle WNW breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 10mph from the S and dropping conditions to poor.
Fri, Jun 26: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on S swell at 5s with light S winds. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 13mph and poor by then.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2ft and poor - fair with 8mph NE winds.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2ft on S swell at 6s with moderate NE wind around 8mph. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
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 2-3ft with a 6.6s swell period. Wind is SW at 10mph 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 Ditch Plains is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.5ft SSE primary swell at 7s, a 1.4ft WSW wind swell swell at 3s. 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 Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.55s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
