What time should I surf for dawn patrol in Bay Head?

Dawn patrol in Bay Head typically starts at first light, around 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the glassiest conditions before onshore winds develop.

Why is dawn patrol the best time to surf?

Early morning offers glassy conditions, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Water temperature is also warmer relative to air temperature at sunrise.

Dawn patrol surfing in Bay Head

Bay Head, New Jersey

Sunrise and first light times for planning your dawn patrol session.

First light in Bay Head means glass, empty peaks, and the best conditions of the day before thermal onshores build. These 1 spots are worth the 5am alarm.

Sunrise

5:42 AM

First Light: 5:12 AM

Day length: 14h 23m

+1 min vs yesterday

Sunrise

5:42 AM

First light: 5:12 AM

Sunset

8:05 PM

Last light: 8:35 PM

Data from Bay Head Beach· Updated daily

7-Day Sun Schedule

7-day sun schedule showing sunrise, sunset, and day length
Day	Sunrise	Sunset	Day Length
Today(Today)	5:42 AM	8:05 PM	14h 23m
Tomorrow	5:41 AM	8:06 PM	14h 25m
Mon, May 18	5:40 AM	8:07 PM	14h 27m
Tue, May 19	5:39 AM	8:08 PM	14h 29m
Wed, May 20	5:38 AM	8:09 PM	14h 31m
Thu, May 21	5:37 AM	8:10 PM	14h 32m
Fri, May 22	5:37 AM	8:11 PM	14h 34m

Today(Today)

Sunrise

5:42 AM

Sunset

8:05 PM

Day Length

14h 23m

Tomorrow

Sunrise

5:41 AM

Sunset

8:06 PM

Day Length

14h 25m

Mon, May 18

Sunrise

5:40 AM

Sunset

8:07 PM

Day Length

14h 27m

Tue, May 19

Sunrise

5:39 AM

Sunset

8:08 PM

Day Length

14h 29m

Wed, May 20

Sunrise

5:38 AM

Sunset

8:09 PM

Day Length

14h 31m

Thu, May 21

Sunrise

5:37 AM

Sunset

8:10 PM

Day Length

14h 32m

Fri, May 22

Sunrise

5:37 AM

Sunset

8:11 PM

Day Length

14h 34m

Best dawn patrol spots in Bay Head

Featured Beaches

1 spots

Bay Head Beach

Intermediate

Bay Head is one of the best beach breaks on the Jersey Shore — fast right-hand barrels over shallow sandbars near rock groins.

Loading map...

Featured Beaches(1)

Bay Head Beach

Intermediate

Bay Head is one of the best beach breaks on the Jersey Shore — fast right-hand barrels over shallow sandbars near rock groins.

Dawn patrol access guide for Bay Head

Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.

Bay Head Beach

beach

intermediate

Bay Head is one of the best beach breaks on the Jersey Shore — fast right-hand barrels over shallow sandbars near rock groins.

Early access

Beach access from multiple street ends in Bay Head. Beach badges required in summer.

Parking

Street parking throughout Bay Head. Limited in summer.

Dawn patrol tips

Glassy morning conditions before onshore winds
Less crowded lineups at sunrise
East-facing beaches for sunrise views
Spots with easy parking for early arrivals

Surf Guides for Bay Head

Conditions

Dawn Patrol

You're here

Sunset Sessions

Evening golden hour spots

Tide Windows

Optimal tidal conditions

Water Temperature

Conditions & wetsuit guide

Style

Beginner Spots

Gentle waves for learning

Longboard Spots

Mellow waves for logging

Frequently Asked Questions

About surfing in Bay Head

: Dawn patrol in Bay Head typically starts at first light, around 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the glassiest conditions before onshore winds develop.
: Early morning offers glassy conditions, fewer crowds, and calmer winds. Water temperature is also warmer relative to air temperature at sunrise.

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