Coastguards (Robert Moses)
- Longboard, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Surf is best when offshore North winds groom the faces, while onshore/Southerly winds can make conditions choppy and blown out. The spot’s hazards are primarily strong rip currents and shifting sandbars, and winter conditions are extremely cold—full neoprene gear with a hood, gloves, and boots is strongly emphasized. Surfing is restricted to designated areas within the state park (and not in swimming areas), and seasonal lifeguard coverage is limited to swimming zones.
- Best surf month is September, with higher clean-wave percentages reported
- Exposed conditions can align well with fall swell and offshore winds
- Designated surfing zones within the state park
- Exposed sandbar break with reliable surf that can work year-round
- Good access with designated surfing areas and multiple parking fields
- Offshore winds from the North can groom faces
- Seasonal conditions can produce more consistent combinations during fall
- Strong rip currents and strong/moderate rip current hazard
- Shifting sandbars can change wave shape and safety
- Very cold winter water requiring full neoprene gear
- Can be crowded on weekends
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind is described as strongly dependent on seasonal weather fronts and hurricanes.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
- Best Months
- September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Occasional protection from dunes depending on wind angle, but generally very exposed.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Small to medium surf reported across sources.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with ample space; surfing is restricted to specific designated areas within the state park.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch difficulty is described as easy.
Through the year
Crowded on weekends (especially in summer and on good fall swells); quieter in winter.
Hurricane season affects fall swells; tropical storm activity possible June to November; peak swell activity noted in August and September.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed sandbar/sand-bottom beach break with shifting sandbars and variable sand-bottom beach peaks. Works at different tide stages but consistency depends on bar position; best matches come with fall swell seasons.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE, ESE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works at all tide stages with moderate consistency (spot also reported as best at mid tide in some conditions).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed to ocean weather.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the North groom the faces; South winds make it very choppy and blown out.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells but holds well up to overhead; holds size during fall hurricane swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Overall wave quality reported as good; another source describes it as average.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power described as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Wave shape reported as peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed reported as medium.
- Ride Length
- Short — Rides are described as short with fast/punchy sandbar sections.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–80 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, punchy rides typical of sandbar breaks; length varies as bars shift.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Coastguards (Robert Moses) in the full forecast view.
Coastguards (Robert Moses) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- WNW300°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2711 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–0.9 m6s period
- Temperature
- 7–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Coastguards (Robert Moses) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.4–0.9 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- strong rip currents
- moderate to strong rip currents (especially with larger swells)
- shifting sandbars
- cold water in winter
- local hazards noted as localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards patrol designated swimming areas.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest emergency number is 911. Nearest hospital noted as Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism is cited as a hazard in the spot guide.
Rules of the spot
Surfing is restricted to designated areas at Robert Moses State Park (typically near the Coast Guard station / Field area). No surfing in swimming areas.
- No surfing in swimming areas
- Surf only in designated surfing zones within the state park
- Seasonal restrictions may apply during lifeguard hours
- Take care of the strong rips.
- Check the sandbars after major storms as they shift frequently.
- Early morning is often best before conditions change onshore.
- Fall provides a more consistent combination of swell and offshore winds.
- Weekend crowds can increase—plan entry/exit and surf lines accordingly.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Town of Babylon
- Nearest Town
- Town of Babylon
- Parking
- Four parking fields with ample parking; Field 4 is the designated surfing and bodyboarding area. Large paid parking lots are available; vehicle fee/pass may be required.
- Access
- Accessible via the Robert Moses Causeway. Located within Robert Moses State Park near the Coast Guard station.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and rentals in Babylon and nearby coastal towns.
- Food & Drink
- Seasonal concession stands available within the state park.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited availability within the park; better to bring your own or visit shops in Babylon.
- Gear Storage
- Private storage is limited to local residents or through specific school programs; no public storage at the beach.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A premier outdoor recreation hub within Robert Moses State Park with nearby coastal attractions around Babylon and access toward Fire Island.
Historic 19th-century lighthouse offering panoramic views of the Atlantic and Great South Bay.
A historic maritime village featuring a walkable downtown with boutique shops and local history.
The largest public fishing fleet on Long Island, offering daily charters and open boat trips.
Expansive sandy beaches with bathhouses, concession stands, and picnic areas.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Coastguards (Robert Moses)?
The best overall months at Coastguards (Robert Moses) are September, October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Coastguards (Robert Moses)?
Coastguards (Robert Moses) works with N, NW, NE winds.
What skill level is Coastguards (Robert Moses) suitable for?
Coastguards (Robert Moses) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.