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

6:43 AM

First Light: 6:13 AM

Day length: 12h 37m

Sunrise

6:43 AM

First light: 6:13 AM

Sunset

7:19 PM

Last light: 7:49 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)	6:43 AM	7:19 PM	12h 37m
Tomorrow	6:41 AM	7:20 PM	12h 40m
Fri, Apr 3	6:39 AM	7:21 PM	12h 42m
Sat, Apr 4	6:38 AM	7:22 PM	12h 45m
Sun, Apr 5	6:36 AM	7:23 PM	12h 47m
Mon, Apr 6	6:34 AM	7:24 PM	12h 50m
Tue, Apr 7	6:33 AM	7:26 PM	12h 53m

Today(Today)

Sunrise

6:43 AM

Sunset

7:19 PM

Day Length

12h 37m

Tomorrow

Sunrise

6:41 AM

Sunset

7:20 PM

Day Length

12h 40m

Fri, Apr 3

Sunrise

6:39 AM

Sunset

7:21 PM

Day Length

12h 42m

Sat, Apr 4

Sunrise

6:38 AM

Sunset

7:22 PM

Day Length

12h 45m

Sun, Apr 5

Sunrise

6:36 AM

Sunset

7:23 PM

Day Length

12h 47m

Mon, Apr 6

Sunrise

6:34 AM

Sunset

7:24 PM

Day Length

12h 50m

Tue, Apr 7

Sunrise

6:33 AM

Sunset

7:26 PM

Day Length

12h 53m

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.

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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

Less Crowded

Quieter lineups & backups

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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