Best Time to Surf Shirley Today
Shirley, New York - today, this week, and the seasonal pattern
Live surf planning
Today's surf call
Shirley's best surf window today is 8:30 PM-9:30 PM: incoming tide, good swell angle. Smith Point County Park is the top pick at 0.5 ft.
This week's surf window
July rates 35/100 for Shirley. Shirley is between peak-season windows; September is the historical peak if this week's surf report looks marginal.
Match the surf report
Falling tide, 6 mph wind, and 0.5 ft swell are the live surf report cues to confirm first.
Seasonal pattern in July
July
Shirley is between peak seasons right now. Expect 1-2 ft waves and 70°F water. Peak month: September.
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 Shirley
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
