New York
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Turtle Cove, 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: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with 11mph from the S.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with moderate NNW wind around 8mph.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with moderate NNW wind around 9mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with strong SSW wind at 15mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 21mph.
Thu, May 14: 0–1ft, 6s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and poor conditions with strong S wind at 19mph.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Turtle Cove (Turtles) is widely considered the best wave in Montauk — a powerful right-hand point/reef break over boulders just west of Montauk Lighthouse. When a proper SE swell hits with NW offshore winds, it produces hollow, tubing waves with rides of 50-300 meters. The shallow boulder reef, strong rip currents, and powerful waves make this strictly for experienced surfers.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Turtle Cove is 1-2ft with a 8.2s swell period. Wind is S at 11mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Turtle Cove is 1-2ft, 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 Turtle Cove is Monday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 2ft waves, a 8.15s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Turtle Cove works best with a SE swell and NW 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 Turtle Cove. 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.
Turtle Cove is a point with a rock bottom, suited to advanced surfers. Turtle Cove (Turtles) is widely considered the best wave in Montauk — a powerful right-hand point/reef break over boulders just west of Montauk Lighthouse. When a proper SE swell hits with NW offshore winds, it produces hollow, tubing waves with rides of 50-300 meters. The shallow boulder reef, strong rip currents, and powerful waves make this strictly for experienced surfers.
The prime season at Turtle Cove 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 Turtle Cove include shallow boulder reef, strong rip currents around point, powerful waves, long paddle out, jellyfish. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Turtle Cove 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.
