New Jersey
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Surf City, 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: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 3-4ft and poor - fair conditions with 7mph ESE winds.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 3-4ft with moderate NNE wind around 10mph. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 8mph from the NNW.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 13mph SSW winds.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Fair. Midday is the call — 2-3ft waves with moderate W wind around 10mph and fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
6s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Surf City is a classic Long Beach Island beach break offering fun, forgiving waves ideal for beginners and those building their skills. The east-facing Atlantic exposure picks up E and NE swells from coastal storms and hurricane remnants, with the sandy bottom producing rolling peaks across a wide stretch of shoreline. Fall brings the most consistent and powerful surf, and the laid-back barrier island vibe keeps the atmosphere welcoming.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Surf City is 3-4ft with a 8.1s swell period. Wind is ESE at 5mph 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 Surf City is 3-4ft, produced by a 0.3ft ESE primary swell at 13s, a 3.8ft 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 Surf City is Thursday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 3ft waves, a 5.85s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Surf City 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 Surf City. 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.
Surf City is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Surf City is a classic Long Beach Island beach break offering fun, forgiving waves ideal for beginners and those building their skills. The east-facing Atlantic exposure picks up E and NE swells from coastal storms and hurricane remnants, with the sandy bottom producing rolling peaks across a wide stretch of shoreline. Fall brings the most consistent and powerful surf, and the laid-back barrier island vibe keeps the atmosphere welcoming.
The prime season at Surf City 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 Surf City include rip currents, seasonal crowds, cold water, stingrays. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Surf City 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.
