What time should I surf for dawn patrol in Toms River?

Dawn patrol in Toms River 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 Toms River

Toms River, New Jersey

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

First light in Toms River 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

+2 min vs yesterday

Sunrise

5:42 AM

First light: 5:12 AM

Sunset

8:05 PM

Last light: 8:35 PM

Data from Ortley 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 26m
Tue, May 19	5:39 AM	8:08 PM	14h 28m
Wed, May 20	5:39 AM	8:09 PM	14h 30m
Thu, May 21	5:38 AM	8:10 PM	14h 32m
Fri, May 22	5:37 AM	8:10 PM	14h 33m

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 26m

Tue, May 19

Sunrise

5:39 AM

Sunset

8:08 PM

Day Length

14h 28m

Wed, May 20

Sunrise

5:39 AM

Sunset

8:09 PM

Day Length

14h 30m

Thu, May 21

Sunrise

5:38 AM

Sunset

8:10 PM

Day Length

14h 32m

Fri, May 22

Sunrise

5:37 AM

Sunset

8:10 PM

Day Length

14h 33m

Best dawn patrol spots in Toms River

Featured Beaches

1 spots

Ortley Beach

Beginner friendly

Ortley Beach is a sandbar-dependent beach break on the Barnegat Peninsula with a mellow vibe and room to spread out.

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Featured Beaches(1)

Ortley Beach

Beginner friendly

Ortley Beach is a sandbar-dependent beach break on the Barnegat Peninsula with a mellow vibe and room to spread out.

Dawn patrol access guide for Toms River

Parking and access info for early morning sessions before sunrise.

Ortley Beach

beach

beginner-intermediate

Ortley Beach is a sandbar-dependent beach break on the Barnegat Peninsula with a mellow vibe and room to spread out.

Early access

Multiple beach access points from the boardwalk between 3rd Avenue and Harding Avenue.

Parking

Street parking and boardwalk-area lots. Beach badges required.

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 Toms River

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 Toms River

: Dawn patrol in Toms River 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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