Belmar - surf spot statistics

Belmar, New Jersey, offers surfable conditions year-round, but the best months for quality waves are generally from late summer to early winter, particularly September through November. During this period, the Atlantic hurricane season can produce more powerful ground swells, with September standing out with 19% ground swell occurrence—the highest of the year—and a mean swell size of 0.8m. Wind conditions, though still challenging (72% bad winds), are slightly better than in winter months. Fall also sees a lower percentage of no-swell days (22% in September), increasing the likelihood of rideable waves. Winter months (December-February) bring more wind swells (50-56%) but suffer from poor wind conditions (over 80% onshore winds), making sessions inconsistent. Spring and early summer (May-July) have the highest frequency of good wind days (26-29%), but the surf tends to be smaller and dominated by wind swells, which lack the power and consistency of fall ground swells. Overall, September is the prime month for surfers seeking larger, cleaner swells, though it requires patience due to still-unfavorable winds. For smaller, more manageable waves with better wind conditions, late spring and early summer (May-July) can provide opportunities, albeit with less size and power.

April in Belmar offers surfable conditions, though they are often on the smaller side with an average swell height of 0.8m and a decent period of 7.6s. The best swells tend to come from the E to SSE directions, with the most consistent wave heights in the 0.5-1.5m range. Larger waves (1.5-2.5m) are less frequent but do occur, primarily from the E and ESE, accounting for around 7-10% of conditions. Wind plays a crucial role, with only 21% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore conditions—typically when winds come from the NW or WNW. Unfortunately, stronger onshore winds from the S to SW directions are more common, which can degrade wave quality. Surfers should target early mornings when winds are lighter or wait for periods with ENE to E wind directions for cleaner faces. Overall, April is a hit-or-miss month, requiring patience for the best sessions.