wave picture

Last Update: 3/11/2026 12:50

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New Feature: Water Level

Week of 3/9 - 3/15

See my Mid-March Update Here

Several back-back prefrontal swells are expected to come through this week. Each of them will be short-lived, but the swell angle is favorable and there will be an offshore wind switch.

A more powerful swell is expected next Monday 3/16 with leftovers lasting into Wednesday.

Things slow down after that until (potentially) early the following week.


Wednesday 3/11

Time Wave Direction Swell Height Period Energy Percentile Wind Direction Wind Speed Water Level
06:00 165 2.7 6.7 12.7 S 10 -1
08:00 165 2.7 6.6 12 S 8.3 -1.4
10:00 172.2 2.7 6.6 9.5 S 10.4 -0.9
12:00 172.4 2.8 6.5 10.2 S 12.4 -0.4
14:00 175 3.2 6.1 9.5 S 14.9 -0
16:00 165 3.6 5.1 7.2 S 16.1 -0.3
18:00 165 3.9 5.5 12.5 S 16.1 -0.9
Time Tide Height (ft)
01:21 H 3.81
07:45 L 0.89
13:52 H 3.11
19:39 L 1.06

A potentially stronger but still steep south swell is expected around 3/11 with clean conditions expected on 3/12. Should be in the chest-head high range early but is expected to fade quickly following a strong NW wind switch.

Notes: Watch Thursday

Thursday 3/12

Time Wave Direction Swell Height Period Energy Percentile Wind Direction Wind Speed Water Level
06:00 172.4 5.1 6.7 33.8 SW 16.4 0
08:00 172.5 5 6.8 35.1 WSW 15.9 -0.8
10:00 172.4 4.9 7 35.9 WNW 17.7 -1.1
12:00 172.2 4.8 7.1 37.4 NW 17 -0.9
14:00 165 4.7 7.2 41.2 NW 15.1 -0.1
16:00 172.4 4.4 7.3 35.1 NW 14 0
18:00 172.4 4.1 7.3 31.5 NW 12.6 -0.9
Time Tide Height (ft)
02:14 H 3.73
08:54 L 0.89
14:49 H 3.08
20:55 L 1.06

Smaller than earlier forecasts and a little worse directed. Originally this was forecasted to be more SE rather than SSE. All in all, I’d expect this to be pretty fun in the AM. Wind is stronger than ideal, but it’s offshore. This is expected to fade pretty quickly and the table above is a bit suspect. Personally, I’d get on it early if looking to surf.

It’s possible this overperforms a little over model forecast.

If this holds, I’d expect breaking wave heights in the chest high range.

Notes: Conditions may not be particularly user friendly. I’d expect some residual weirdness and a strong current.

Best board: Most should work in the AM. You probably want a bigger board for the afternoon.

Friday 3/13

Time Wave Direction Swell Height Period Energy Percentile Wind Direction Wind Speed Water Level
06:00 155 3.3 8 38 WNW 9 -0.3
08:00 155 3.1 8.1 35.6 WSW 9 -1.5
10:00 162.4 2.9 8.1 30.7 SW 10.1 -2
12:00 165 3 8.1 31.3 SSW 14 -1.7
14:00 175 3.7 8.1 35.4 S 19.1 -0.8
16:00 175 5 4.8 8.5 S 24.3 0
18:00 165 6.4 5.7 33.5 SSW 26.1 -0.2
Time Tide Height (ft)
03:13 H 3.74
09:54 L 0.73
15:53 H 3.17
21:59 L 0.89

I have my doubts about the validity of this table. It’s possible surf fades quicker than expected and Friday is flat. Based on this table we’d have waist high surf give or take with a favorable swell direction and offshore wind. Definitely keep an eye on it but have low expectations.

Notes: Check a cam in the AM and watch the weekend.

Saturday 3/14

Time Wave Direction Swell Height Period Energy Percentile Wind Direction Wind Speed Water Level
06:00 165 5.8 8 62.7 WSW 18.6 0.2
08:00 172.5 5.4 8 54.4 W 18 -1.1
10:00 175 5 7.9 47.9 W 17.9 -2.4
12:00 175 4.6 7.7 41.1 W 16.4 -2.9
14:00 182.3 4.2 7.5 29.4 W 14 -1.9
16:00 185 3.7 7.3 21.6 W 12.5 -0.6
18:00 185 3.3 7.2 16.3 W 10.5 -0.6
Time Tide Height (ft)
04:16 H 3.87
10:46 L 0.49
16:54 H 3.41
22:53 L 0.62

Update as of 3/11: This has been trending better.

Another prefrontal swell but it’s looking more powerful than forecasts were showing even a few days ago. Some of the more recent model runs would suggest that these numbers could go up from here.

Breaking wave heights may very well be in the shoulder high range for the AM if this trend continues. I’d expect waist high surf (at best) by end of day.

Notes: Largest conditions early. Looks like a really good day but offshore winds are going to be very strong. Won’t be user friendly.

Best board: daily driver

Sunday 3/15

Time Wave Direction Swell Height Period Energy Percentile Wind Direction Wind Speed Water Level
06:00 185 2.3 6.1 2.7 ESE 11.9 1.2
08:00 185 2.5 6 3.4 ESE 13.9 0.3
10:00 185 2.8 3.7 0.2 SE 15 -1.2
12:00 175.1 3.2 4.4 1.6 SE 16.5 -2
14:00 175 3.8 4.9 5 SSE 17.5 -0.8
16:00 175 4.6 5.4 12.3 SSE 19.5 0.6
18:00 175 5.3 5.9 22.5 SSE 20.5 1

Not leftovers are expected but we’ll be watching for another (potentially stronger) swell on Monday, 3/16.

Monday 3/16

Time Wave Direction Swell Height Period Energy Percentile Wind Direction Wind Speed Water Level
06:00 175 9.4 7.5 73.9 S 27.7 2.2
08:00 175.1 10.3 8.1 83.5 S 27.6 1.4
10:00 172.4 11.5 8.9 91.7 SSW 29.5 -0.5
12:00 165 12.5 9.4 95.9 SSW 29 -2.2
14:00 155 12.1 9.9 97.5 SSW 26.3 -2.1
16:00 155 11 10 96.8 SW 24.5 -0.4
18:00 155.2 9.6 9.9 95.2 WSW 22.6 1.1
Time Tide Height (ft)
06:03 H 4.41
12:15 L -0.07
18:29 H 4.14

A solid swell is looking likely at this time. Potentially the best year to date if the wind works out.

Notes: Expert only if it comes together. Tuesday is looking fun for the rest of us.


Looking Ahead

Things might slow down a bit after 3/16 or 3/17 as a large region of high pressure moves into our region.


All data sourced from NOAA NWPS


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