Manasquan Inlet
Manasquan Inlet is the gold standard of New Jersey surfing—an inlet-enhanced beach break that produces the Garden State's most consistent and powerful waves. The inlet jetty creates sandbars that transform ordinary Atlantic swells into legitimate overhead peaks, with fast, hollow sections that reward aggressive surfing. The local crew is notoriously protective and skilled, having earned their waves through decades of cold water dedication. When hurricane swells or nor'easters hit the Jersey Shore, Manasquan is where serious East Coast surfers want to be.
Manasquan Inlet surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (100°)
- Direction range
- 70° - 150°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 13s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (280°)
- Offshore range
- 250° - 320°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.3m
Water temp
16°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: Public beach. Seasonal parking fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Manasquan Inlet?
Manasquan Inlet is a beach break in Manasquan, USA, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Manasquan Inlet?
Manasquan Inlet picks up swell from the ENE round to the SSE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the E. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.8 to 2.5m. Period matters too: aim for 13s or longer, as anything under 9s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Manasquan Inlet?
A W wind is dead offshore at Manasquan Inlet, and anything from the WSW round to the NW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Manasquan Inlet?
Manasquan Inlet is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.3m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Manasquan Inlet?
The most reliable run of swell at Manasquan Inlet comes Sep to Apr. There's a second window in Aug too. Hurricane swells and nor'easters.
How cold is the water at Manasquan Inlet?
The water at Manasquan Inlet averages around 16°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Manasquan Inlet good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Strong inlet currents. Respect the locals.
How do I get to Manasquan Inlet?
The nearest airport on our list is EWR, then it's roughly a one-hour drive. Public beach. Seasonal parking fees.
What other surf spots are near Manasquan Inlet?
The closest breaks we track are Jenkinsons (1.5 km), Asbury Park (13 km) and Long Beach Island (52 km), handy when Manasquan Inlet isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Secondary: Aug
Hurricane swells and nor'easters.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Jenkinsons
Jersey Shore peaks | Nor'easter bowls | Bodyboard-friendly
Asbury Park
🎸 Springsteen's shore • Rock and roll boardwalk • Jersey beach break
Long Beach Island
🏝️ 18-mile barrier island • Endless peaks • Jersey Shore tradition
Rockaway Beach
🚇 A train to the lineup • NYC's surf spot • Diverse Queens community
Long Beach NY
🚃 NYC accessible • Train to waves • Urban surf
Lido Beach
Long Island bowls | Hurricane-season peaks | NYC-accessible