Stone Harbor

Stone Harbor stretches along Seven Mile Beach, a classic New Jersey barrier island chain running from Townsends Inlet to Hereford Inlet. The surf here is defined by fine, shifting sand and a higher density of jetties than most neighboring towns—but it rarely delivers a standout wave. The real draw is Nuns Beach, a mellow, forgiving longboard wave that peels gently in front of the convent. Don't expect much off the jetty itself; the best of this spot is soft, crumbly, and perfect for trimming down the line on a log.

Best Surf Season (October - March)

Stone Harbor's most promising surf windows arrive as the Atlantic basin transitions into autumn and winter. With the beach aimed at the east-southeast, the Jersey Shore is right in the crosshairs of low pressure systems spinning up offshore and Nor'easters pulling away from the Mid-Atlantic. These setups fire E, ESE, SE and SSE swell down the fetch straight into the sandbars, while the climatological increase in W and WNW winds offers cleaner, offshore-surface conditions. Though average heights still hover around 2ft (0.6m), the period lengthens and the odd 3-5ft (0.9-1.5m) day becomes realistic. If you're chasing the best mix of size, period and offshore texture in Stone Harbor, this is your window.