Chodes
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Chodes is an exposed sandy beach break in the Upper Township/Strathmere area with quite reliable surf that can work year-round. It’s best when the swell and wind align, with favorable conditions described for an easterly to south-easterly swell and offshore grooming from northwest winds. The spot is generally suited to intermediate surfers. The lineup is characterized by sand over a sandy bottom, but it is not a “clean sand” environment—rocks and man-made structures (including jetties/rock groins) can create hazards, especially when you’re paddling out or judging channels. Currents can include lateral drift/longshore effects, and rip currents are also noted. Wind is described as predominantly northwest and frontal/system-driven, with the clean-season window particularly associated with autumn and winter (best month listed as November). NW winds are commonly offshore/cleaner, helping the waves form cleaner faces. Gusts are characterized as moderate. Because conditions are exposed and the water is very cold in winter, cold-water protection is central to safe sessions. Local guidance also emphasizes checking the rock groins’ positions before paddling out in low light and considering mid-to-high tide depending on how sandbar features have shifted recently.
- Exposed, reliable beach break that works year-round
- NW winds groom waves into cleaner faces
- Best month listed as November
- Rarely crowded
- Quite reliable surf and can work at any time of year
- Offshore NW winds can create cleaner faces
- Rarely crowded
- Exposed conditions
- Rocks and jetties around the lineup
- Rip currents can occur
- Rescue availability is described as no at the spot level
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal/system winds; spot works best when the NW wind aligns with the swell.
- Reliability
- 32% clean days annually; generally reliable in autumn and winter
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- November
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach and sandy bottom.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach for paddling out.
Through the year
Rarely crowded, even in summer compared to nearby tourist areas.
Hurricane season peaks from August to October (regionally).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed sandbar-style beach break with reliable surf when swell and wind align; functions as an exposed beach break that can produce quality waves.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, ESE, E
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works at any tide; mid-to-high is often best depending on sandbar movement.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach break.
- Wind Effect
- NW winds are offshore/cleaner and help groom the waves into cleaner faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Tends to close out when swell exceeds 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Chodes in the full forecast view.
Chodes wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- NNE32°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2710 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.0 m7s period
- Temperature
- 5–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Chodes is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 0.3–1.0 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- rip currents
- jetties
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard presence is described as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level guidance indicates rescue availability is no.
- Emergency Info
- If needed, call 911. Coastal rescue is supported by the U.S. Coast Guard in the nearby Cape May/Ocean City area; local emergency services cover nearshore incidents.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Rarely crowded; generally known to local South Jersey surfers as a quieter alternative to nearby tourist hubs.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; check the position of rock groins before paddling out in low light.
- The spot is often best on a mid-to-high tide depending on recent sandbar movement.
- Check the position of the rock groins before paddling out in low light.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ocean City
- Nearest Town
- Strathmere
- Nearest Airport
- Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) (~25 miles) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) (~65–90 km depending on route).
- Parking
- Free street parking is generally available throughout Strathmere.
- Public Transport
- Access is primarily via the Garden State Parkway; NJ Transit provides bus service to nearby towns, while a personal vehicle is recommended.
- Access
- Public beach access via street ends in Strathmere.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Vacation rentals and motels in Strathmere and Sea Isle City.
- Food & Drink
- Local delis and seasonal restaurants are within walking distance in Strathmere.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Chodes?
The best overall months at Chodes are November, December, January, February. The best wind months are November.
Which wind directions work at Chodes?
Chodes works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Chodes suitable for?
Chodes suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.