New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Manasquan, 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: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 8mph from the SE.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 2-3ft waves on ESE swell at 7s and light winds out of the NNE.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 8mph N winds.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 11mph SSW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 18mph.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on SSE swell at 6s with 8mph from the SW — nothing amazing but surfable. Afternoon breeze fills in to 15mph.
6s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Manasquan Inlet is widely regarded as one of the best waves on the entire East Coast. The north jetty creates a wedging right-hander that can produce thick, heavy barrels capable of handling swells up to 20-foot faces. Tidal flow through the inlet constantly reshapes the sandbars and generates powerful currents that make this a wave for experienced surfers only. Fall hurricane swells and winter nor'easters are when Manasquan truly comes alive, drawing top-level surfers from across the region.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Manasquan is 2-3ft with a 8.1s swell period. Wind is SE at 9mph 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 Manasquan is 2-3ft, produced by a 3.5ft SE 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 Manasquan is Sunday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.1s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Manasquan 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 Manasquan. 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.
Manasquan is a rivermouth with a sand bottom, suited to advanced surfers. Manasquan Inlet is widely regarded as one of the best waves on the entire East Coast. The north jetty creates a wedging right-hander that can produce thick, heavy barrels capable of handling swells up to 20-foot faces. Tidal flow through the inlet constantly reshapes the sandbars and generates powerful currents that make this a wave for experienced surfers only. Fall hurricane swells and winter nor'easters are when Manasquan truly comes alive, drawing top-level surfers from across the region.
The prime season at Manasquan 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 Manasquan include strong inlet currents, jetty rocks, heavy shorebreak, localism, boat traffic, cold water. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Manasquan 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.
