When most people think of surfing, places like California or Hawaii come to mind first. But can you surf in New Jersey? Stretching from Sandy Hook to Cape May, this region surprises many with its quality beach breaks, especially during hurricane season when swells roll in from the Atlantic. Local surfers know that autumn offers some of the best waves—warm water, light winds, and powerful, clean swells that can rival more famous spots.
The community itself is tight-knit and welcoming, with local surfers often exchanging not just tips about tides or weather patterns, but also practical advice on upgrading equipment. Discussions about where to get a surfboard upgrade with a New Jersey trusted lender are as common as recommendations on which board suits certain wave conditions. After all, having the right board can be just as important as choosing the right spot. And with such a variety of breaks scattered along the coastline, knowing where to paddle out can define your entire session. In this article, we’ll explore the best surf spots on the New Jersey coast, helping you discover the best locations to ride, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned surfer.
Monmouth County sits at the northern edge of the Jersey Shore and offers plenty of surf breaks by its beaches and jetties. This area has a rich surf history and some of New Jersey’s most reliable waves. Several spots in Monmouth County are:
Sandy Hook sits at the very top of the Jersey Shore. Within the Gateway National Recreation Area lies a unique area called The Cove. This spot hides around a bend in the shoreline, so waves here come in at rare angles. On a strong northeast swell, often from a hurricane or nor’easter, and with offshore wind, The Cove can peel long, smooth rides that even wrap around the tip of the peninsula. It’s one of New Jersey’s most unique waves, but it only works when the swell, wind, and tide line up just right. Checking the cove surf forecast and surf reports regularly is essential if you’re hoping to catch this spot when it’s working at its best.
You can see New York City from the beach on a clear day. In off-season months, you can drive right up and park nearby. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, there’s a beach parking fee of $20 per vehicle (or $100 for a season pass) payable at the entrance plaza. The Cove doesn’t break every day, but when it fires, surfers come from miles around to catch these rides.
Just down the coast, Long Branch offers another beloved surf spot: Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park. It is named after US presidents who vacationed here and was one of the first in New Jersey to allow surfing decades ago.
A rock jetty builds sandbars that give both lefts and rights. It works best on medium southeast swells with west winds. The waves are smooth and forgiving for intermediate riders, but can get heavy during hurricane season. Parking is easy in the county lot. In summer, lifeguards may limit surfing areas, but early mornings and off-season sessions are wide open.
Asbury Park boasts a renowned music scene and boardwalk, as well as solid surf to match. The main spot is beside the 8th Avenue jetty, just north of Convention Hall. From May 24 to June 15, you can surf here on weekends and holidays, and from June 16 through September 1 every day, thanks to the town’s surfing-only beach designation.
In the summer, the surf is smaller and perfect for lessons – local schools like Summertime Surf School welcome all levels, with no prior skills required. In fall and winter, the more experienced paddlers come out, even in snow-dusted conditions. When the surf’s flat, you can hit nearby cafes or catch live music under the Convention Hall. Simple, reliable, and full of local charm – that’s surfing Asbury Park.
Ocean County’s coast is made of long barrier islands with miles of sandy beach breaks, and you’ll still find great surf here. A few must-visit spots are:
Continue south, and you’ll reach Long Beach Island, fondly known as LBI. An 18-mile-long barrier island is a storied part of Jersey's surf history. LBI is a string of beach towns and natural areas. LBI’s coastline is mostly uninterrupted sand, with just a few groins and one notable pier at Surf City.
One of the most famous surf spots is Holyoke in Beach Haven. It’s revered for producing a long, left-breaking wave alongside a jetty. At the southern tip of Long Beach Island, in the Holgate section of the Edwin B. Forsythe Wildlife Refuge, sits the Wooden Jetty, an old timber structure that’s now a well-known surf spot. The spot is remote, so you’ll need a beach driving permit to get there with a 4×4. Other spots on LBI include Surf City, Harvey Cedars, and Ship Bottom. LBI also has a noteworthy spot: The Pier at 68th Street in Beach Haven.
Bay Head sits just south of Point Pleasant and marks the start of the Barnegat Peninsula. The town may seem quiet and upscale, but here are some of the biggest waves in New Jersey. The shoreline has short jetties and rock groins every block, helping shape sandbars that create barreling waves when the swell lines up. Bay Head works on nearly all swell directions and is surfable year-round.
What makes Bay Head stand out is its versatility. On most days, the waves are smaller and smoother, making it a popular choice for beginners and intermediates. But when a solid swell arrives, Bay Head changes completely, offering fast, hollow barrels that challenge even experienced surfers. Such days don’t go unnoticed—photographers and surfers marvel at gigantic waves on the Jersey Shore, capturing dramatic moments as the sets roll in. The spot typically works best early in the morning, when light winds help create clean, glassy conditions ideal for riding.
Famous from the MTV show Jersey Shore, Seaside is more than a party town; it’s a rising surf spot. In the 1970s, the breaks at Seaside Heights and Seaside Park were significant, but storms and erosion caused them harm. After repair work, the surf here is bouncing back. The main break, Casino Pier, creates punchy beach and jetty waves that can barrel on the right swells. It works year-round but gets crowded.
When south swells hit, often in summer or early autumn, Seaside Park sees bigger waves even when other spots stay small. The waves are less hollow and more “rippable,” ideal for turns and longboarding on smaller days. September and October offer the best conditions. Getting there is simple via Route 37 to the peninsula. Seaside’s boardwalk offers pizza, rides, and ice cream.
Southern New Jersey covers the lower part of the coast. However, surfing here is just as active as up north. Some of the best-known spots are:
Moving into Cape May County, the first major surf town is Ocean City. The family-oriented beach town boasts a rich surf heritage, earning it the nickname "Surfing Capital of South Jersey." Ocean City was one of the towns where surfing first really took off on the East Coast back in the 1960s, and it remains an epicenter today.
The most famous stretch is from 1st Street to 10th Street on the north end of the island. Such a zone offers some of the best-quality surf in South Jersey. On a decent swell, any of those jetties can fire. The crown jewel is 7th Street beach. This has been Ocean City’s official surfing beach for over 30 years, and it’s home to countless surf contests and surf camps.
Summertime restrictions mean you can't surf most guarded beaches between 10 am and 5:30 pm, so early morning, evening, or designated surf beaches are the way to go. Beach tags are also required in the summer.
Surfing and casinos – welcome to Atlantic City! AC might not be the first place you think of for catching waves, but the city harbors a noteworthy surf spot known as Crystal Beach (or “Crystals”). It is located at the last beach in Atlantic City, on the border with Ventnor. Here, a rock jetty creates the conditions for a relatively reliable wave.
Crystal Beach offers both lefts and rights, but it’s best known for the wedgy right that bounces off the jetty. On the right swell, it can even throw a little barrel. For South Jersey, it’s a consistent spot. Surfing in Atlantic City has its vibe. You might park on a city street at dawn and walk past casinos with your board under your arm. AC isn’t overrun with surfers, but the ones who do surf here are year-round committed. Atlantic City’s beaches are free, a rarity in New Jersey, so access is simple.
Cape May’s top surf spot is Broadway Beach, right where Broadway meets Beach Avenue. Two rock jetties create a main peak. Most days, you’ll get chest-to-head-high waves. Lefts peel cleanly off the jetty on northeast or east swells. Rights break on the other side. The waves are easy enough for longboards and fun for all skill levels, even when they get a bit bigger during strong storms. Cape May is one of the few areas that stays rideable when other spots are blown out.
However, Cape May in summer comes with strict rules. Surfing is not permitted during daytime guarded hours in the summer months at Broadway Beach; it’s for swimmers only. Surfers can bodyboard (with fins) during those times, but true surfing has to wait for off-hours. Don’t paddle out at 2 pm on a July weekend, or you’ll get whistled in immediately by lifeguards.
You don’t have to fly to California or Hawaii for great surfing. The best surf spots in NJ can offer equally amazing experiences. Local surf culture is tough and welcoming. Before you paddle out, show respect. Know the beach rules, dress appropriately for the weather, and treat the surf as a chance to practice. Take a surfing lesson, share a longboard, and have a great time!
