Good Rats - surf spot statistics

Best Surf Season (November - March)

The North Atlantic roars to life during these months, delivering the most consistent and powerful swell to Good Rats. Average wave heights range from 2.5m to 3.0m with long periods averaging 11-12 seconds, thanks to a steady parade of extratropical cyclones tracking across the basin. Swell directions are dominated by the optimal WSW, SW, and SSW, perfectly aligned with the beach's SW exposure. Offshore winds from the NE and ENE quadrant blow a higher percentage of the time, especially from December through February, when the polar jet stream strengthens and the NAO often dips negative, driving storm tracks closer to the coast. This combo produces clean, grinding, long-period surf that can hold a board comfortably. The main challenge is the occasional onshore flow from the SE and S when high-pressure systems set up to the east, but overall, this is prime time for the spot.

Fair Surf Season (April & October)

These shoulder months offer a transition between the winter peak and summer lull. April still sees respectable average wave heights of 2.2m and periods around 10.8s, with a high percentage of ideal wind (39%) – the highest of any month. However, the swell becomes more inconsistent as the storm track shifts north. October sees a resurgence with 2.5m average height and 10.4s period, but the wind ideal rate drops to 29%, meaning more variable conditions. Both months benefit from a mix of groundswell and windswell, and with the right setup – a low pressure passing to the north and a cold front clearing out – you can score fun, punchy surf with clean offshore breezes.

Low Surf Season (May - September)

Summer settles in, and Good Rats goes into a slumber. Average wave heights drop to 1.3-1.7m, with periods shrinking to 9-10 seconds. Swell still comes from the preferred SSW-SW-WSW directions, but the energy is often weak and short-period, producing mostly small, mushy, or choppy waves. The biggest enemy is the wind: onshore flow from the SSW, SW, and WSW becomes predominant, especially from June through August, when ideal wind percentages bottom out at 19-24%. Afternoon seabreezes further degrade conditions. A stray tropical storm or cloud-to-ground hurricane swell can briefly light things up in September, but consistency is low. For the dedicated surfer, a groveler or longboard is the board of choice on the rare clean dawn patrol with a light offshore breeze from the north or east.

August: Late Summer Fizzle with Hurricane Hope

August mirrors June with a 1.4m average height and 9.8s period – the shortest average period of the year. Swell directions still heavily favor the SW (30.2%), WSW (30.5%), and SSW (14.7%) windows, but the wave energy is often weak and unorganized. The ideal wind percentage improves slightly to 23%, but still, the vast majority of days feature onshore flow from the SSE (11.0%), S (10.0%), and SE (7.6%). The saving grace of August is tropical activity: the Atlantic hurricane season begins to ramp up, and a well-timed cyclone or strong easterly wave can send a long-period, southeast or south groundswell into the New York Bight. When that happens, Good Rats can transform into a punchy, fun spot with overhead sets and clean conditions if the wind shifts offshore. But these events are rare and short-lived. For the most part, August is a small-wave month best suited for the morning glass-off with a NW wind and a sense of optimism.