Surf spot

Ditch Plains

Forecast conditions and map view for Ditch Plains in USA, North East, Long Island NY. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: USA, North East, Long Island NY
Coordinates: 41.0388, -71.9138

Metric
Metric	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00
Wave height (m)	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.4	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.7	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.6
Wave direction	S	S	S	S	S	SSE	SSE	SSE	S	SE	SE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	S	S	S	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	SSE	E	E	ENE	ENE	E	E	E	E	E	ESE	ESE	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	ESE	ESE	ESE	E	E	E	E	E
Wave period (s)	5.7	5.6	5	4.9	4.8	4.6	4.2	4.1	4.3	8.2	7.2	3.4	3.7	3.9	4	4.1	3.8	4.1	5.1	5.3	5.3	5.5	5.5	5.6	5.8	5.7	3.9	5.2	3.9	3.6	4	4	3.3	3.3	3.5	5.1	5.5	5.7	5.8	5.8	5.8	5.8	5.7	5.5	5.4	5.3	5.2	5.2	5.1	5.6	5.7	4.2	4	4.2	4.1	4.2
Wave energy (kJ)	27	23	17	13	11	8	6	5	4	14	15	10	11	15	16	16	12	16	27	27	25	24	20	17	15	11	4	8	14	7	9	8	5	5	4	17	23	28	31	33	33	31	28	24	20	17	14	11	10	6	7	5	6	7	7	13
Wind speed (km/h)	12.8	17	16.8	13.1	10	13.7	14.3	20.9	19.6	19.7	24.6	28.2	19.3	16.8	15.3	8.4	9.1	10.8	33.7	31.8	12.4	26.4	32.5	30.4	28.5	33.1	30	22.7	15.2	18	21.7	19.7	10.9	14.6	13.5	11.5	5.7	6.1	11.9	13.1	14.8	12.7	17.6	18.3	28.8	29.9	33	30.8	29.6	24.7	19.4	14.2	10.8	9.7	3.4	26.1
Wind direction	NOffshore	NECross-off	ENECross-off	ECross	SECross-on	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SSEOnshore	SSEOnshore	SECross-on	SSWOnshore	WCross	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	NWCross-off	SWCross-on	WCross	NNWOffshore	NNWOffshore	NWCross-off	NOffshore	NOffshore	NECross-off	NNEOffshore	NECross-off	NECross-off	ENECross-off	ECross	ECross	ECross	ECross	NECross-off	NECross-off	ENECross-off	ECross	SECross-on	SSEOnshore	SOnshore	SOnshore	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SSWOnshore	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	SWCross-on	WCross	WNWCross-off	SWCross-on	NNEGlassy	NECross-off

Ditch Plains is one of the best-known surf spots on the East Coast, located in Montauk on Long Island, New York. It’s a classic beachbreak with a mix of sandbars and occasional rocky sections, and it’s popular with both local surfers and visitors because of its consistent wave potential and relatively easy access.

What it’s like

Wave type: Beachbreak, with shifting sandbars
Best wind: West to northwest winds are usually offshore and help clean things up
Best swell: East, southeast, and northeast swells can produce solid surf
Wave quality: Can be very good when the sand aligns, but it changes with storms and seasons
Skill level: Often considered beginner-friendly to intermediate, but bigger days can challenge anyone

Conditions

Ditch Plains tends to be more user-friendly than many exposed East Coast breaks, especially on smaller to medium surf. It can offer longer, fun rides when the sandbars line up, though crowds are common on good days because it’s such a well-known and accessible spot.

Hazards

Crowds, especially in summer and on swell events
Shifting sandbars and occasional rips
Seasonal beach erosion can change the break
Cold water for much of the year, so a wetsuit is usually necessary

Best time of year

Fall is often the sweet spot: better swell consistency, cleaner conditions, and less crowded than summer
Winter can bring powerful surf but much colder water and air
Spring and summer can still be fun, especially with tropical systems or passing storms

Vibe

Ditch Plains has a laid-back, classic Long Island surf culture feel. It’s a popular hangout spot, and on good surf days it can be lively and energetic, with plenty of local color.