New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at States Avenue, 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. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor - fair with 12mph from the SSE.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on SE swell at 7s and 9mph from the NNE. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with moderate N wind around 8mph.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 4s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 13mph SSW winds.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, 12mph from the WNW, poor - fair conditions. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
States Avenue in Margate is a punchy beach break where the Atlantic City coastline starts curving southward, giving it a unique swell window that picks up S and SSE swells from tropical systems. The sandbars here can produce surprisingly hollow and fast-breaking waves during fall hurricane season, rewarding surfers who can read the shifting bottom contours. Northerly winds blow offshore at this stretch, making it a good option when NE winds are wrecking the east-facing beaches.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at States Avenue is 2-3ft with a 8.1s swell period. Wind is SSE at 12mph 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 States Avenue is 2-3ft, produced by a 0.3ft SE primary swell at 13s, a 0.2ft SE secondary swell at 16s, a 3.6ft SE wind swell 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 States Avenue is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.35s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
States Avenue works best with a S swell and N 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 States Avenue. 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.
States Avenue is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. States Avenue in Margate is a punchy beach break where the Atlantic City coastline starts curving southward, giving it a unique swell window that picks up S and SSE swells from tropical systems. The sandbars here can produce surprisingly hollow and fast-breaking waves during fall hurricane season, rewarding surfers who can read the shifting bottom contours. Northerly winds blow offshore at this stretch, making it a good option when NE winds are wrecking the east-facing beaches.
The prime season at States Avenue 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 States Avenue include strong currents, shifting sandbars, crowded lineups during peak swells, cold water in winter, beach closures in summer. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our States Avenue 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.
