Ditch Plains Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – it’s a pretty quiet stretch for the most part, but there’s a glimmer of hope if you’re patient.

The outlook starts off flat and poor. The first few days are a write-off with tiny, weak swell and onshore winds messing up any chance of a wave. You’re looking at barely ankle-snappers through the 11th, 12th, and 13th of July, with the combined wave energy sitting in the weak range (49 down to 23). The wind is cross-onshore or onshore, so it’s choppy and basically unsurfable. The water temp is sitting at 66°F, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year – about 4 degrees off – so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.

We finally see a slight shift on Thursday morning, the 16th of July. The wind turns offshore from the WNW at 6 mph, which cleans things right up. The swell is still tiny, only 2ft from the S with a short period of 6 seconds, and the energy is weak (47). It’s surfable but very ordinary. Not a standout, but it’s the first breathable moment.

Then, from the 20th of July, the swell starts to lift. Monday the 20th morning brings a 6ft SSW swell. The period is still short at 7 seconds, but the energy jumps into the moderate range at 453. The wind is cross-offshore from the NNE at 12 mph, so it’s clean. This is the first wave that’s got some push, but at 6ft it’s getting into the “too big for beginners” territory, especially for a beach break. It’s a marginal window with questionable tide.

The real standout, and the only one I’d really get excited about, is Tuesday the 21st of July morning. Ditch Plains (Montauk) gets a 4ft S swell, with a 9-second period. The combined energy is solid at 281. But the best part? The wind goes glassy, dead calm from the NE at only 3 mph. That’s as clean as it gets. The swell is a good size for intermediates and will offer some fun, walled-up waves. The direction from the S matches the optimum for Ditch Plains, so it’s right on. Yes, the crowds are often an issue here, so expect company if the conditions line up. This is your best bet of the whole outlook.

After that, the swell backs off again. Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd see the wind swinging onshore once more and the waves getting chopped up, dropping back under 3ft with weak energy. A small window pops up on Friday the 24th morning with a 3ft SSE swell and a light offshore NW wind at 6 mph, cleaning it up. Saturday the 25th morning also offers a clean 4ft S swell with a cross-offshore breeze, but the period is short at 7 seconds so it won’t have much shape. By Sunday the 26th, we’re back to weak, onshore dribble.

Overall, it’s a long, quiet start. You’re waiting about a week for anything worthwhile. The standout is clearly that Tuesday the 21st morning session – glassy and a decent head-high swell. The rest of the second week is a mix of marginal, clean but small waves, and then choppy junk. If you can’t make that Tuesday, the Thursday the 24th morning might be worth a look for a small, clean wave.

Stay patient, stay stoked.
Rusty.

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