Maryland
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Ocean City, MD, Maryland. 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 Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and poor - fair with 13mph SSE winds.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Morning kicks off with 1-2ft on SE swell at 7s.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light WNW winds.
Wed, May 13: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 11mph S winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 17mph.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on SSE swell at 6s with 11mph WNW winds — nothing amazing but surfable. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 16mph.
6s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Ocean City offers accessible beach breaks along Maryland's Atlantic coast, featuring sandy bottom waves that are perfect for learners and intermediate surfers. The spot benefits from autumn swells generated by Atlantic storms and hurricanes, with consistent peaks forming along the developed beachfront. The town's abundant amenities, shallow wave faces, and forgiving sandy bottom make this a welcoming destination for surf travelers exploring the Mid-Atlantic region.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Ocean City, MD is 3-4ft with a 7.75s swell period. Wind is SSE at 13mph 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 Ocean City, MD is 3-4ft, produced by a 3.1ft SE primary swell at 8s, a 0.3ft ESE secondary swell at 13s. 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 Ocean City, MD is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 5.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Ocean City, MD 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 Ocean City, MD. 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.
Ocean City, MD is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Ocean City offers accessible beach breaks along Maryland's Atlantic coast, featuring sandy bottom waves that are perfect for learners and intermediate surfers. The spot benefits from autumn swells generated by Atlantic storms and hurricanes, with consistent peaks forming along the developed beachfront. The town's abundant amenities, shallow wave faces, and forgiving sandy bottom make this a welcoming destination for surf travelers exploring the Mid-Atlantic region.
The prime season at Ocean City, MD 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 Ocean City, MD include crowded beach during summer months, strong rip currents, occasional pier pilings near breaks, seasonal water temperature extremes. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Ocean City, MD 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.
