Visiting New York? Check out its top surfing spots

Jeff    surfingholidays     new york, surf destinations, surf spots, Surfing, surfing holidays, Surfing in New York, US, USA holidays

New York City never quite makes it to the top of the list of surfing destinations. With so much financial, cultural, and political bustle, the city is often overlooked as a surfing destination altogether.

Great waves near New York Image: Flickr/ Dr DAD

But geographically, Manhattan is the converging point of two notable Atlantic coastlines: Long Island and New Jersey. The beaches and shores that stretch east and south of the great metropolis can drum up some of the finest waves in the world – winter produces the most consistent surf, so don’t forget your hood and boots.

To the east, Long Island offers a smattering of great spots including the site of 2011’s Quiksilver Pro in Long Beach. Staying in a hostel in New York means finding public transportation and New York does not disappoint. The ‘S’ Line of NYC’s subway grid will drop you off a few blocks from the breakers at 92nd street in Rockaway. Simply disregard the odd looks you’ll get lugging a board bag through the turnstiles.

The more adventurous can opt for a two-hour Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) journey out to the tip of the island and Montauk’s famed lineups at the Lighthouse or Ditch Plains. In between, you’ll find plenty of waves at numerous spots like Robert Moses State Park and Lido Beach – exploration is always rewarded.

Extending south of Manhattan’s gridlock and skyscrapers is the New Jersey coastline, perhaps more recognizable as the Jersey Shore. Take New Jersey Transit’s Coast Line and get off at Belmar – a spread out beach break that works with almost any swell. Monmouth Beach is arguably the pinnacle of New Jersey surfing and gets as good as any wave in the world.

Even further south, explore the Atlantic City Pier and Ventnor for more sandy peaks. A good time to visit this region is in the late autumn. Water temperature will be more reasonable than winter and Caribbean hurricanes send solid swells to these exposed breaks.

About the author

Jeff Rhodes wrote 23 articles on this blog.

Jeff was born and raised just east of New York City on Long Island. He moved to Santa Barbara, California for college and studied psychology and philosophy. At school he discovered a love for surfing, reading, and writing. Jeff has explored both coasts of the United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Indonesia, and Australia in search of waves and authentic experience.

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