Best Queens surf window today: tide and conditions
Queens's best surf window today is 8:30 PM-9:30 PM, with rising tide, 13 mph wind, and 1.2 ft swell; tide in range, cross-shore winds, good swell angle. Rockaway Beach – 98th St is the top pick at 2.5 ft.
Live surf planning
Plan around the live conditions
Best time to surf Queens this week
September rates 92/100 for Queens. 2 of 2 local beaches are in peak season; September is the historical peak if this week's surf report looks marginal.
Match the surf report
Now: rising tide, 35 mph wind, and 3.5 ft swell. Confirm them in the live surf report first.
Seasonal pattern in September
September
2 of 2 beaches are in peak season right now. Expect 3-8 ft waves and 70°F water.
Surf Score by Month
Score reflects overall surf quality each month — combining peak season activity, water temperature, and crowd levels.
Monthly Breakdown
January
Nor'easter swells, dedicated locals only
February
Winter storm swells, iciest water
March
Late winter swells, water slowly warms
April
Spring transitions, cleaner conditions
May
Small clean days, Montauk crowd building
June
Beach season begins, mostly small
July
Flat Hamptons summer, occasional tropical
August
Hurricane season begins, warm water
September
PeakPeak hurricane swells, warm water
October
PeakFall swells, offshore winds, thinning crowds
November
PeakNor'easters firing, empty lineups
December
Winter storms, hardcore crew
Dawn Patrol vs Afternoon Sessions
Dawn Patrol
- Typically glassier conditions before onshore winds build
- Smaller crowds, especially on weekdays
- Water temps at their coolest — plan your wetsuit for the low end (42°F in winter)
- Best for beach breaks and exposed reef setups in Queens
Afternoon Sessions
- Onshore winds can create chop, but swell is often more consistent
- Higher crowds on popular beaches, especially weekends
- Water warms through the day — upper end (72°F in summer)
- Sunset sessions can be magic when winds die down
