New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Harvey Cedars, 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 Fair. Rideable all day with 3-4ft waves on SE swell at 8s and 11mph E winds.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 3-4ft with 15mph N winds. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Expect 1-2ft waves early on ESE swell at 8s.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 13mph out of the SSW.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, moderate W wind around 10mph, fair conditions. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down.
6s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Harvey Cedars is a classic Long Beach Island beach break offering fun, consistent waves along the east-facing Atlantic shoreline. The sandy bottom provides forgiving conditions and peaky surf that works well for all levels, with fall nor'easters delivering the most powerful and organized swells. The quiet residential atmosphere and uncrowded lineups make it a favorite among LBI regulars.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Harvey Cedars is 3-4ft with a 8.1s swell period. Wind is ENE at 7mph 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 Harvey Cedars is 3-4ft, produced by a 4.1ft SE primary swell at 8s, a 0.3ft ESE secondary swell at 13s, a 0.2ft ESE tertiary swell at 16s. 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 Harvey Cedars is Sunday from 4 PM to 7 PM with 4ft waves, a 8.1s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Harvey Cedars 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 Harvey Cedars. 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.
Harvey Cedars is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Harvey Cedars is a classic Long Beach Island beach break offering fun, consistent waves along the east-facing Atlantic shoreline. The sandy bottom provides forgiving conditions and peaky surf that works well for all levels, with fall nor'easters delivering the most powerful and organized swells. The quiet residential atmosphere and uncrowded lineups make it a favorite among LBI regulars.
The prime season at Harvey Cedars 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 Harvey Cedars include cold water in winter, occasional strong currents, crowded during summer holidays. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Harvey Cedars 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.
