Montauk - Ditch Plains
Montauk's Ditch Plains is the crown jewel of East Coast surfing—a south-facing beach at the tip of Long Island that catches more swell than anywhere else in the region. The position intercepts hurricane swells, nor'easters, and even wraparound energy from storms that miss everything else. The rocky bottom creates defined peaks with more punch than typical beach breaks, and the Montauk surf community takes their waves seriously. The two-hour drive from NYC weeds out casual day-trippers, leaving dedicated surfers who've made "The End" their home away from home.
Montauk - Ditch Plains surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (160°)
- Direction range
- 120° - 200°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 3.5m
- Ideal size
- 2m - 2.8m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNW (340°)
- Offshore range
- 300° - 20°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
15°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: Town beach. Parking fee in summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Montauk - Ditch Plains?
Montauk - Ditch Plains is a beach break in Montauk, USA, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Montauk - Ditch Plains?
Montauk - Ditch Plains picks up swell from the ESE round to the SSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSE. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 3.5m, with the sweet spot around 2 to 2.8m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 9s tends to be weak. Also catches SW wrap swells. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Montauk - Ditch Plains?
A NNW wind is dead offshore at Montauk - Ditch Plains, and anything from the WNW round to the NNE 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 Montauk - Ditch Plains?
Montauk - Ditch Plains is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Montauk - Ditch Plains?
The most reliable run of swell at Montauk - Ditch Plains comes Sep to May. There's a second window in Aug too. Best East Coast spot. Picks up most swells.
How cold is the water at Montauk - Ditch Plains?
The water at Montauk - Ditch Plains averages around 15°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 Montauk - Ditch Plains 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. Rocky bottom. Gets crowded when good.
How do I get to Montauk - Ditch Plains?
The nearest airport on our list is ISP, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive. Town beach. Parking fee in summer.
What other surf spots are near Montauk - Ditch Plains?
The closest breaks we track are Narragansett Town Beach (59 km), handy when Montauk - Ditch Plains isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Secondary: Aug
Best East Coast spot. Picks up most swells.
Getting There
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