Hollyoake

KitesurfingWingfoilingSurfing
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboardSurfing bodyboard
What's great
  • 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.
Heads up
  • 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.
Was this description helpful?
Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
3–26 °C
Water Temperature
1–30 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Dec–Nov: winter wetsuit + Boots, Gloves, HoodJun, Jul, Aug: 3/2mmSep–May: 5/4mm with hood and boots in winter3/2mm or springsuit in shoulder seasons + Boots
Crowds by Season

Heavy crowds in July and August; quiet and locals-oriented in winter (provider data).

Storm/Rain Season

Hurricane season peaks August through October (provider data).

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingSkill Level

Kitesurfing is suitable mainly for experienced riders, particularly off-season when crowds are thin. Jetties are a major hazard.

WaveStrapless
Kite Sizes
9–12 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

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
SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Beach break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestLeashBootsGlovesHoodWetsuitHarnessKnife

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).

Restrictions
  • Seasonal swimming zones
  • Beach badges required in summer months
  • Surfing restricted to designated areas during summer lifeguard hours
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
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).
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Visitors can pair bay wind riding with lighthouse views, maritime heritage, and family attractions around Long Beach Island and nearby towns.

Best time to visit: June through September for peak tourism/amenities; May and October for wind with fewer crowds
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park15 miles

Historic lighthouse with panoramic views of the bay and ocean.

Tuckerton Seaport10 miles

Working maritime museum and village preserving Jersey Shore heritage.

Fantasy Island Amusement Park5 miles

Classic shore amusement park with rides, games, and an arcade in Beach Haven.

The Chicken or the Egg5 miles

Local landmark known for wings and 24/7 summer service.

Thundering Surf Waterpark5 miles

Family-oriented waterpark with slides and a lazy river in Beach Haven.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.