New York
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at North Bar for the cleanest windows.
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.
Wed, Jun 24: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions with barely a breath of wind.
Thu, Jun 25: 2–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 2ft and mostly poor - fair with gentle WNW breeze. Afternoon breeze fills in to 10mph.
Fri, Jun 26: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light S winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 16mph.
Sat, Jun 27: 2–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on S swell at 6s with moderate NNE wind around 7mph. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Sun, Jun 28: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2ft waves and poor - fair conditions with moderate NE wind around 9mph.
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 2-3ft with a 6.6s swell period. Wind is SW at 10mph 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 North Bar 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 North Bar is Monday from 3 PM to 6 PM with 2ft waves, a 9.6s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
