Manasquan Inlet Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be real about what we’re looking at for Manasquan Inlet over the next couple of weeks. I’ve got to tell you, the outlook is pretty grim for a long stretch. The first solid recommendation doesn’t pop up until the morning of Sunday, July 26th, which is well over a week away. Before that, it’s a long, dry spell of flat or junk waves.

The earliest days are a write-off. Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th are hopeless—tiny, crummy swell with onshore winds messing everything up. We’re talking pathetic wave energy, with readings like 52 (weak energy) and 41 on Saturday, barely scratching 66 on Sunday. Forget about it. The whole first week, right through to the start of the second week, is the same story: small, weak swells, mostly cross or onshore winds, and scores of zero. You’ll see a few windows where it’s clean and offshore, like Tuesday the 14th morning, but the swell is only 1 ft from the ESE. That’s a lake, not an ocean.

We finally see a pulse of energy building around Tuesday the 21st of July. The swell kicks up to 6 ft from the SSE, with combined energy hitting 265 (moderate). But the wind is straight on from the E, and the report calls it “poor surf conditions.” It’s a lot of water moving, but it’s going to be a messy, blown-out wall of whitewater. For a jetty break like Manasquan Inlet, onshore wind is a dealbreaker. It’s a no-go.

The one bright spot is the morning of Sunday, July 26th. This is the only day in the whole 16-day window that gets a “good surf conditions” call. We’ve got a 5 ft swell from the S, with combined energy way up at 328 (moderate). The key here is the wind: it’s a light SSW breeze, which is cross-offshore for this spot. That’s the secret sauce. It’ll be clean, with some shape to it. But remember, this is a long-range call, so keep your expectations in check. It’s promising, but not locked in.

For a break that’s “very consistent,” this is a rough run. It’s one of those stretches where the forecasts might change, but for now, don’t hold your breath. The only real standout is that Sunday morning on the 26th. If you’re an expert, you might get a few clean ones, but it’s not a day for beginners—that 5 ft on a jetty can get a bit punchy. Crowds are likely here, so be ready to share the peak.

Rusty.

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