Montauk, NY Surf Forecast (2024)

FAQs

How are the waves in Montauk today? ›

Choppy/sideshore current with WSW winds 15-20mph. Minimal (ankle high or less) surf.

Breezy SW winds with moderate choppy seas. Small very short period waves. Winds: SW 10 to 14 knots. Seas: S 4 feet at 6 seconds.

Surf reports, like weather reports, are not always 100% accurate, as they constantly change based on the weather conditions.

The size of the wave, or swell height, is a measure in feet or meters. If the surf forecast says 1-3m (3-9ft), then it's usually a good time to go surfing. 3m waves are not appropriate for beginners, but experienced surfers take on waves of incredible height.

Turtles is considered the best and biggest wave on Long Island and can hold surf an upwards of 20 feet. Terrace is another favorite surf spot for Montauk locals. Ditch Planes, Trailer Park and Poles offer other viable surf options when the conditions come together.

Today's Montauk Point - Turtles sea temperature is 69 °F.

Commonly referred to as The End, because it is the easternmost point of the island and New York state.

Wave Detail: S 1 ft at 3 seconds, becoming SW 2 ft at 3 seconds. Slight chance of showers. Slight chance of tstms in the morning, then chance of tstms in the afternoon. S winds 10 to 15 kt.

SURFLINE. One of the most well-established surf reports and forecasts and was founded in 1985 by the late Sean Collins. Surfline is based in Southern California and provides a comprehensive wave forecasting website for users worldwide.

What is too much wind for surf? ›

As long as the wind doesn't get too strong, say over 20 knots, you'll be fine. Any stronger and it will be hard to take-off. The other winds are either onshore – from the sea to the land, or cross-shore – blowing from either side. If these winds are blowing any stronger than 10 knots it can chop the waves up fast.

Now, how this affects surfing?… Well, every break has it's favored tides, which is mainly due to the bathymetry of that specific break. However, usually most spots favor a 'low going high' or when the tide is on the rise, 'filling in'. This is the believed “tidal push” which may help the forward momentum of waves.

One of the best visual identifiers of a rip current is to look out for gaps between the waves. The calmer gap between waves may look safer for you to surf in but a small patch of calm water in an otherwise choppy sea is often a rip current. Rips are the cause of most rescues performed at beaches.

The best time of day to surf is generally in the early morning (around sunrise) and in the late evening (around sunset) when there is swell in the water.

Regardless of which end of the tide cycle you're surfing, the currents during incoming tides are generally better than outgoing tides for beginners. Surfing an hour before maximum high tide is usually ideal if you want waves with great height and speed.

He says that human-caused climate change will force seas to rise in the future, making waves even bigger. A Scripps Institution of Oceanography study from last summer found that California waves have grown, on average, a foot taller in the last 50 years as climate change has heated up the planet.

Since the water is deeper at high tide, you usually find bigger, more powerful waves. Regardless of which end of the tide cycle you're surfing, the currents during incoming tides are generally better than outgoing tides for beginners.

Using tide charts, you will know the exact times for high and low tide. At the beginning of a tidal shift toward high tide, the waves will be slower and flatter, but as you approach the middle of the cycle, the waves will start to increase in intensity.