New York
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at North Bar, 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: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light S winds.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Midday is the call — 2-3ft waves with moderate NW wind around 8mph and fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 10mph NNW winds.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on ESE swell at 7s and 15mph out of the SSW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 21mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Thu, May 14: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with strong S wind at 19mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
North Bar is a rare east-facing reef break on Montauk's north side toward Block Island Sound, picking up east swells that the south-facing spots miss entirely. This makes it a valuable option on different swell patterns than Ditch Plains or Turtles. Best season is spring when east swells are more common, though clean surfable conditions are rare — rewarding patience with quality right-hand walls over the reef.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at North Bar is 0-1ft with a 8.25s swell period. Wind is S at 9mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at North Bar is 0-1ft, 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 North Bar is Monday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
North Bar works best with a E swell and SW 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 North Bar. 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.
North Bar is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. North Bar is a rare east-facing reef break on Montauk's north side toward Block Island Sound, picking up east swells that the south-facing spots miss entirely. This makes it a valuable option on different swell patterns than Ditch Plains or Turtles. Best season is spring when east swells are more common, though clean surfable conditions are rare — rewarding patience with quality right-hand walls over the reef.
The prime season at North Bar is spring, 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 North Bar include rocks, rip currents, jellyfish, inconsistent — fickle spot. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our North Bar 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.
