11 Best Surf Spots at the Jersey Shore
Published August 5, 2026
The best surf spots at the Jersey Shore stretch across all 130 miles of coastline. Manasquan Inlet is the most famous and most consistent break in the state, Belmar’s 16th Avenue and Holgate’s Wooden Jetty on Long Beach Island produce the heaviest barrels, and Seaside Park, Seven Presidents Park in Long Branch, and Wildwood Crest are the best picks for beginners. Below, all 11 spots are organized north to south with skill level, swell, and tide info for each.
The Jersey Shore is one of the most underrated surf destinations on the East Coast — hundreds of jetties channel ocean swell into breaks that range from mellow beginner rollers to some of the heaviest barrels north of the Outer Banks. Whether you’re a seasoned local or planning your first session, here’s a complete, town-by-town breakdown of where to paddle out.
Compare the Top Surf Spots
| Spot | Skill Level | Break Type | Best Swell | Best Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Presidents Park, Long Branch | Beginner–Intermediate | Beach break | Any swell | Summer–Fall |
| L Jetty, Avon-by-the-Sea | All levels | Beach/jetty | South swell | Summer |
| 16th Avenue, Belmar | Intermediate–Advanced | Beach/jetty | Any swell | Fall |
| Manasquan Inlet | Intermediate–Advanced | Jetty | South-southeast | Summer |
| Bay Head | All levels | Beach/jetty | Any swell | Summer |
| Seaside Park | Beginner | Beach break | South swell | Year-round |
| Holgate, Long Beach Island | Advanced | Jetty (left) | Any swell | Fall–Winter |
| Crystals, Atlantic City | Intermediate–Advanced | Beach/jetty | Northeast | Winter |
| Nuns Beach, Stone Harbor | Intermediate | Sandbar | Small south swell | Summer |
| Rambler Road, Wildwood Crest | Beginner–Intermediate | Beach break | Any swell | Summer–Fall |
| Broadway Beach, Cape May | Intermediate–Advanced | Beach/jetty | Northeast | Fall |
North Shore
Long Branch, Seven Presidents Park
Seven Presidents Park has more surfing history behind it than any other beach on this list. In the early 1960s, local surfers formed the Kiernan Surfing Association and struck a deal with the property’s owner to lease the beach for surfing, making this one of the first spots on the Jersey Shore where riding waves was actually allowed. Today it’s a Monmouth County park with a mile of clean, guarded beach and a section set aside specifically for surfers. The wave itself is a forgiving beach break that works on nearly any swell, which makes it a great option for newer surfers who want real waves without the aggressive jetty crowds found further south. Surfing is permitted outside the guarded swimming hours (typically before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. in season), so plan an early or late session. Expect a daily entry and parking fee in summer, plus a snack bar, showers, and plenty of parking.
Avon-by-the-Sea, L Jetty
A must-visit surf spot in New Jersey, the L Jetty in Avon is known for fun waves best caught on the right day and tide. This break primarily works on south swells, making it ideal for summer surfing. At low tide, the L-shaped jetty creates a sheltered pocket where kids often play and chase fish, so check the wind and plan your session for low-to-mid tide when the surf is at its best. The L Jetty is a reasonably consistent beach and jetty break available year-round, with the best winds coming from the west and the optimum swell angle from the east-southeast. The beach predominantly offers right-hand waves. Local shop Surf N’ Spark sells new and used boards and gear, and runs both group and private lessons if you’re new to the sport.
Belmar, 16th Avenue
Belmar is a prime destination for surfers, offering consistent breaks on all swells and tides and making it a year-round hotspot. Sixteenth Avenue, across from Eastern Lines Surf Shop, is known for generating the big, hollow barrels that expert surfers dream about, and it’s home to the annual Belmar Pro surf competition, which draws some of the best surfers on the East Coast. In summer it attracts vacationers and gets crowded fast, but the off-season thins the lineup and lets local surfers enjoy consistently barreling waves. As an exposed beach and jetty break, Belmar handles both windswell and groundswell, with the ideal swell direction from the east-northeast and offshore winds from the west. The beach offers both left and right-hand waves, and the cleanest, most rideable conditions typically show up in autumn.
Central Shore
Manasquan Inlet
Manasquan Inlet is one of the most renowned surf breaks on the entire East Coast, consistently delivering waves whenever there’s swell in the Atlantic. The large man-made jetty channels ocean swell into a powerful right-hand wedge that can range from 2 to 20 feet, attracting a diverse crowd of surfers of every skill level. Don’t be fooled by the seemingly easy paddle out using the inlet’s rip current — this spot can be dangerous for beginners, especially with summer crowds competing for waves. Early mornings offer more peaceful sessions. Ideal conditions occur with offshore winds from the west and swell from the south-southeast, producing both lefts and rights, particularly around mid-tide as it rises. The best window for clean waves and light offshore winds is typically summer, especially July. Local shops DaveySKY Surfboards, Greenlight Surf Supply, and Inlet Outlet Surf Shop are all within walking distance if you need gear or a repair.
Bay Head
Bay Head features a lengthy stretch of beach dotted with short jetties that create exciting barreling waves year-round. This spot works with nearly any swell, offering waves that range from waist-high to double overhead, and it draws a solid crowd of local surfers, so choose your spot wisely. As an exposed beach and jetty break, Bay Head has fairly consistent surf at any time of year. Offshore winds typically come from the west, and the beach handles both windswell and groundswell, with the optimum swell angle from the southeast. The breaks favor rights and are best surfed around mid-tide as it rises, with the most consistent clean conditions showing up in summer.
Seaside Park
Seaside Park, just south of Seaside Heights and bordering Island Beach State Park, is a magnet for south swells, and its waves tend to be less intense than neighboring breaks — fewer barrels, but plenty of rippable rights, making it a great option for beginners and visitors who find other lineups intimidating. Local restoration projects around Surfer’s Point have helped the area’s surf culture rebound in recent years after decades of erosion and storm damage. This exposed beach break offers consistent surf year-round, with lefts and rights available at all stages of the tide. For optimal conditions, look for northwest winds and a southeast swell angle at mid-tide.
Long Beach Island
Holgate, Long Beach Island
At the southern tip of Long Beach Island, where Long Beach Boulevard ends and the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge begins, sits the Wooden Jetty at Holgate — home to one of the most coveted left-hand breaks in New Jersey. LBI is an 18-mile stretch of sand with one of the widest swell windows in the state, meaning if there’s swell anywhere in the Atlantic, Holgate will likely be working. Beach replenishment has buried many of the island’s other jetties over the years, which has only concentrated the crowd (and the quality) at spots like this one that still hold their shape. Surfing is allowed on all LBI beaches between the posted blue flags, and the best conditions typically arrive with a shorter-to-mid-period swell and northwest winds. Grab a post-surf breakfast sandwich at nearby Bowker’s South Beach Deli before you head out.
South Jersey
Atlantic City, Crystals
At the last beach in Atlantic City, you’ll find a jetty setup known as Crystals that produces reliable waves across all swells. This quirky spot has its share of unique obstacles, from fishermen to boardwalk crowds finishing their night just as you start your sunrise session — but dependable breaks are hard to find on the East Coast, so it’s worth navigating around them. This fairly exposed beach and jetty break offers reliable surf year-round, with ideal winds from the west and some shelter from the south. It handles both windswell and groundswell, with the best swell direction from the northeast. The beach predominantly breaks right and holds good surf at all stages of the tide, with the cleanest, most consistent conditions typically arriving in winter, especially March.
Stone Harbor, Nuns Beach
Nuns Beach is a unique sandbar break in New Jersey that shines during the summer months. It primarily picks up small south swells, producing waves on most summer days, and works well with both groundswell and windswell for a fairly reliable, consistently breaking wave. As an exposed sandbar break, conditions here are fairly steady, but be cautious of strong rip currents and rocks in the area. Summer offers the best conditions overall, with ideal offshore winds from the northwest and the preferred swell direction from the southeast.
Wildwood Crest, Rambler Road
For those seeking a quieter experience, Wildwood Crest is a hidden gem on the Five Mile Island stretch of the Jersey Shore. The waves tend to run smaller here, making it a great spot for beginners and families. This exposed beach break is known for its consistent surf, with the ideal wind direction from the northwest and waves arriving from both local windswell and distant groundswell, with the best swell angle from the southeast. The beach offers both left and right breaks at all stages of the tide. You can find rideable waves throughout the year, but the cleanest conditions with light offshore winds typically show up in summer and again in November.
Cape May, Broadway Beach
Broadway Beach, in the popular vacation town of Cape May, is a beach break that picks up most swells and can deliver good surf in summer. That said, it’s often closed to surfing during peak beach hours due to the influx of swimmers, so the colder months — when crowds thin out — tend to be the better window for a serious session. This exposed beach and jetty break offers consistent surf year-round, with the best conditions occurring in autumn, particularly September. Broadway works best with offshore winds from the north and can handle both windswell and groundswell, with the optimum swell angle from the northeast. Expect mainly left-hand waves, with the best surfing conditions around mid-tide.
New to Surfing at the Jersey Shore?
If you’re just starting out, pair this guide with our roundup of the best surf camps and lessons at the Jersey Shore to find an instructor near your beach. And since jetty breaks like Manasquan and Stone Harbor are known for strong rip currents, it’s worth reading our rip current safety guide before your first session, whether you’re surfing or just swimming nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best surf spot at the Jersey Shore?
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Make the Most of Your Surf Trip
Whether you’re chasing a hollow barrel at Belmar or teaching your kid to pop up at Seaside Park, the Jersey Shore has a wave for every skill level along its 130 miles of coastline. Grab your board, check the swell, and get out there.
Every skill level. 130 miles of coast. One perfect wave waiting.
