Manasquan Inlet - surf spot statistics

Manasquan Inlet is a surf spot largely dominated by wind swells, with ground swells being relatively rare. The best months for surfing here are typically late summer and early fall, specifically from **August to October**, when ground swell activity increases slightly and wind conditions improve marginally. September stands out with 20% ground swell occurrence—the highest of the year—alongside reduced no-swell days (19%) and a mean swell size of 0.8m, offering more consistent rideable waves. While wind conditions remain suboptimal (71% bad winds even in September), this period still provides the best balance between swell energy and surfable days. Winter and early spring (November to March) bring choppier conditions due to strong onshore winds (bad wind conditions exceeding 80%) and smaller, wind-driven swells. Summer months (May to July) see a drop in swell size (0.6-0.8m) and persistent bad wind conditions (70-73%), though June and July offer slightly better wind windows (30-31% favorable winds). Overall, surfers can expect the most reliable sessions in late summer and early fall, but must contend with generally poor wind alignment year-round. The spot favors those comfortable with wind swell surf, as clean conditions are rare.

April at Manasquan Inlet offers variable but generally manageable conditions for surfers, with an average swell height of 0.8m and a decent period of 7.6s. The majority of waves come from the E, ESE, and SSE directions, with the highest frequency in the 0.5-1.5m range, providing rideable but often smaller surf. The best energy tends to arrive from the E and ESE, where 1-1.5m swells occur around 6% and 4% of the time, respectively—offering the most consistent shoulders for shortboarders or grovelers. Larger waves (1.5m+) are rare but possible, mostly from E/SE directions. Wind conditions are a mixed bag, as only 22% of the time do winds align favorably for surfing (likely light offshore or sideshore from W/NW). However, the predominant wind directions (S, SSW, SW) often bring onshore choppiness at 10-20kph, which can degrade conditions. Surfers should target early mornings when winds are lighter and swells from the E/ESE have the most potential. Overall, April is a transitional month with occasional clean, small-to-medium sessions but requires patience and timing.