Hollyoake
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Hollyoake is a low-profile, fairly exposed beach/jetty break in Ocean County, New Jersey (Long Beach Island area) that can produce fairly consistent surf and can work at any time of year. Surf tends to be most reliable from September through March, with the strongest setup when an east to east-southeast swell combines with offshore west winds. For surfing, the spot is described as a beach/jetty break that favors lefts, with optimal swell direction reported around ENE to SSE (and East as a key direction in spot-level findings). Conditions are typically best at low tide, and additional notes indicate low to medium tides for the best performance window. Waves are often peaky, and the ride experience is described as short and fast. Safety is a major theme for this location: jetties are a recurring hazard, with rip currents and shorebreak also reported. Providers also emphasize that sandbars may shift significantly after major storms, so it’s important to check the lineup before committing to your intended takeoff zone. Seasonal lifeguard coverage and beach access rules can affect where you can surf. In winter, cold water is expected, and sources recommend a full winter wetsuit setup with a neoprene hood, gloves, and boots. Crowds can be sometimes present on good swells, but the spot is generally characterized as low-profile and not consistently crowded year-round.
- Works best September–March with an east-to-east-southeast swell plus offshore west winds
- Low tide is a key part of the best surfing window
- Jetties, rip currents, and shorebreak are primary hazards
- Fairly exposed beach/jetty break with fairly consistent surf that can work year-round.
- Best conditions occur when an east-to-east-southeast swell meets offshore west winds.
- Left-favoring, peaky waves with short, fast rides suited to intermediate surfers.
- Jetties and rip currents make navigation and safety-critical line choice important.
- Cold water and winter conditions require proper exposure protection.
- Wind and wave conditions are heavily tied to the east-swell/offshore-west setup; conditions can narrow outside the prime season window.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, SW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider data describes wind as frontal systems; other data emphasizes west/offshore conditions and (in summer) thermal sea-breeze periods.
- Reliability
- Moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Reported as light gusts.
- Best Months
- September, October, November
- Thermal Window
- Afternoon · Regional context indicates an afternoon sea-breeze/thermal window during warmer months, while spot-level wind notes also reference afternoon sea breezes in summer.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach reported.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium — Medium wave size reported by one provider; other notes describe fairly consistent surf.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Provider notes indicate heavy chop with east winds; offshore west winds groom waves.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach/jetty launch with multiple street access points reported.
Through the year
Heavy crowds in July and August; quiet and locals-oriented in winter (provider data).
Hurricane season peaks August through October (provider data).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is suitable mainly for experienced riders, particularly off-season when crowds are thin. Jetties are a major hazard.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Wingfoiling is possible but challenging due to shorebreak and frequent jetties.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Reported as limited foil-friendly conditions.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach/jetty break with consistent year-round surf; fires best from September through March when an east to east-southeast swell combines with offshore west winds.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- ENE, E, ESE, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Best at low tide (and low-to-medium tides in additional findings).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach/jetty setup; no strong shelter indicated.
- Wind Effect
- Best with west/offshore winds; offshore W winds groom waves. East winds can create heavy chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells, but holds up better than some nearby spots due to the presence of jetties.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Wave quality reported as average by one provider; other notes describe fairly consistent surf.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Reported as moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Reported as peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling waves with medium peel speed reported.
- Ride Length
- Short — Reported as short rides; fast, peaky rides are typical.
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, peaky rides typical of New Jersey beach breaks.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Hollyoake in the full forecast view.
Hollyoake wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- NNE14°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2711 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–0.7 m7s period
- Temperature
- 6–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Hollyoake is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 0.3–0.7 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
- Rip currents
- Jetties
- Shorebreak
- Cold water in winter
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Reported as seasonal; surfing restrictions reference summer lifeguard hours.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Provider data describes rescue availability as limited; regional context indicates yes (with Coast Guard and local rescue resources).
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, dial 911. Regional rescue coverage includes U.S. Coast Guard stations at Barnegat Light and Beach Haven, plus local marine police and water-rescue units from fire departments.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Spot-level localism reported as none; another provider describes mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Surfing is restricted to designated areas during the summer lifeguard hours. Beach badges required in summer months (per provider data).
- Seasonal swimming zones
- Beach badges required in summer months
- Surfing restricted to designated areas during summer lifeguard hours
- Check the sandbars after major storms as the jetties often cause significant shifts in where the wave peaks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ocean County, New Jersey
- Nearest Town
- Beach Haven
- Nearest Airport
- Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) (~35 miles)
- Parking
- Street parking available, though very limited during peak summer weekends (provider data).
- Public Transport
- primarily car access to the bay area; NJ Transit buses connect Manahawkin and Long Beach Island to major hubs including New York City and Philadelphia
- Access
- Public beach access in Ocean County, New Jersey; exact parking instructions not found in sources
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous vacation rentals and small hotels in Beach Haven (provider data).
- Food & Drink
- Walking distance to many cafes and restaurants in Beach Haven (provider data).
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available via local surf shops in Beach Haven (provider data).
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops offer fiberglass and epoxy repair services (provider data).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Visitors can pair bay wind riding with lighthouse views, maritime heritage, and family attractions around Long Beach Island and nearby towns.
Historic lighthouse with panoramic views of the bay and ocean.
Working maritime museum and village preserving Jersey Shore heritage.
Classic shore amusement park with rides, games, and an arcade in Beach Haven.
Local landmark known for wings and 24/7 summer service.
Family-oriented waterpark with slides and a lazy river in Beach Haven.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Hollyoake?
The best overall months at Hollyoake are September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Hollyoake?
Hollyoake works with W winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, SW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Hollyoake?
Recommended equipment sizes at Hollyoake: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Hollyoake suitable for?
Hollyoake suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.