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Chicago Breaks Surf Forecast and Surf Reports

(Lake Michigan, USA)

Chicago Breaks break guidePhoto by: will

Chicago Breaks Surf Guide

Chicago Breaks in Lake Michigan is an exposed beach/Jetty break that has quite consistent surf. The surf tends to be optimum in the spring. Works best in offshore winds from the southwest. Short period wind swells are the rule and the ideal wave angle is from the north northeast. The beach break offers both left and right hand waves. It's sometimes crowded here. Watch out for rocks.

Chicago Breaks Spot Info

Type:Rating:Reliability:Todays Sea Temp*:
Beach/jetty3fairly consistent
11.4°C*ocean temperature recorded from satellite

Surfing Chicago Breaks:

The best conditions reported for surf at Chicago Breaks occur when a North-northeast swell combines with an offshore wind direction from the Southwest.

Explore Chicago Breaks Location Map

Interactive Chicago Breaks surf break location map. View information about nearby surf breaks, their wave consistency and rating compared to other spots in the region. Current swell conditions from local buoys are shown along with live wind speed and direction from nearby weather stations. Click icons on the map for more detail. The closest passenger airport to Chicago Breaks is Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) in USA, 16 km (10 miles) away (directly). The second nearest airport to Chicago Breaks is Chicago Ohare International Airport (ORD), also in USA, 37 km (23 miles) away.

  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Please note that some surf spot locations are approximate to protect their exact location while others are not shown at close zoom level.
Chicago Breaks Surf Forecasts:
Todays Surf Summary
Tuesday, 5 May 2026, 16:36 Local Time
Tuesday 05Wed
4PM7PM10PM1AM
Wave (m)
Period (s) - - - -
Wind (km/h)
5
5
5
5
Wind State glass glass glass glass

What does Chicago Breaks look like?

Latest photos from Chicago Breaks. Upload your own or view all photos on the gallery page.

Credit: will

    Chicago Breaks Sea Temperature

    The Chicago Breaks water temperature is rather cold (11.4 °C). Although it will be cloudy today, air temperatures will be relatively mild, feeling like 11.0 °C, so feeling about the same in the water as out of it. A winter steamer or even a good quality spring wetsuit and neoprene boots should suffice. Wear a hood and gloves if you have not been surfing for a while.

    Today, many surfers would wear a winter wetsuit and neoprene boots.
    Current Temp*: 11.4°C*ocean temperature recorded from satellite
    water-temp
    Global-Atlantic Sea TemperatureView Sea Temp Map

    Swell History at Chicago Breaks

    Surf stats for Chicago Breaks, see the swell variation by month or season on the history page here.

    Chicago Breaks Location Map
    Average Swell
    View Swell Statistics

    Wind History at Chicago Breaks

    Wind stats for Chicago Breaks, see the variation in direction and stength by month or season on the history page here.

    Chicago Breaks Location Map
    Average Wind
    View Wind Statistics

    Other Nearby Breaks Closest To:

    Discover surf breaks near Chicago Breaks. Click below to view there surf guides.

    Wave Buoys Nearest To Chicago Breaks:

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