Jetty 4
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Jetty 4 is an exposed breakwater/jetty-style surf spot in the Southampton (Westhampton Beach) area on Long Island. The rock groins help stabilize sand around the structure, creating more defined peaks than adjacent open beach sections, and it’s commonly described as working through the year. Spot conditions are influenced by both wave direction and wind. South to South-East swells are highlighted as the best swell direction, and cleanest winds are reported from the North and Northwest (offshore for this setup). Autumn—particularly September—is repeatedly singled out as the standout time, aligning with both calmer crowding compared with peak summer weekends and favorable swell/wind combinations. Safety is a core consideration at this jetty launch area. Rip currents are reported as common near the jetties, especially with larger swells, and the shoreline/structures add collision risks from rocks and potential submerged debris. Localism is also flagged as a notable factor; surfers are advised to respect the regular lineup and follow general surfing etiquette. Access and logistics can be challenging, especially in summer. Parking is reported as highly restricted and may require town or village permits from May through September, with advice to arrive early and bring cash to improve chances of securing parking. Tide timing matters as well—conditions may become too soft at dead high or too shallow and heavy at dead low, and shorebreak/rock-adjacent endings are commonly reported on many rides.
- Jetty/breakwater structure shapes more consistent peaks
- Best surf window commonly reported in September and broader autumn
- Offshore wind guidance: North to Northwest winds tend to clean things up
- Rip currents and rock-structure hazards near the jetties
- Relatively consistent structure-shaped surfing
- Works year-round with strong peaks on suitable swells
- Best conditions commonly reported in September (and autumn more broadly)
- Localism in the lineup
- Rip currents near the jetties
- Rock-structure hazards and submerged debris possible
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW
- Offshore directions
- N, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Spot-level wind type reported as trade/modified trade pattern.
- Reliability
- 57% blown (monthly).
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady conditions (monthly blown probability reported, but gust severity not further specified in the spot guide).
- Best Months
- September
- Shadow Zones
- Immediate downwind side of the jetty can have some turbulence.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach composition reported.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Medium surf size reported; can hold size and may become heavy on very large swells.
- Launch
- Medium — Breakwater/jetty structure; self-launch feasible but caution advised due to structure. Sandy access adjacent to rock groins is described by one source.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty reported as moderate.
Through the year
Sometimes crowded; summer weekends are very crowded, while autumn and winter are generally quieter but still popular with dedicated locals.
Tropical storm/hurricane season is most active August to October; winter nor’easters occur December to March (regional baseline).
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed jetty/breakwater surfing break on Long Island that shapes peaks around the rock groins. Typically produces consistent peaks with sandbar effects near the structures; hazards include rip currents and rock-structure impacts.
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide preferred; also noted that conditions can be too soft at dead high or too shallow/heavy at dead low.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed breakwater/jetty structure; generally exposed to ocean swell, though the structure provides some shaping and localized shelter effects for certain wind directions.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the North and Northwest provide the cleanest conditions (wind-direction guidance tied to spot conditions).
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold size but may become heavy and difficult to paddle out when swells exceed double overhead.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good, with consistent peaks shaped by the rock groins/sandbar stabilization.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — A jetty break with powerful peaks and punchy rides.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Mixed/peeling described; also reported to produce more structured peaks from stabilized sandbars.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Reported as medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast, punchy rides that often end in a shorebreak or near the jetty rocks.
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, punchy rides; may finish as shorebreak or near the jetty rocks.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Jetty 4 in the full forecast view.
Jetty 4 wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- WNW282°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2711 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–0.8 m7s period
- Temperature
- 6–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Jetty 4 is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.4–0.8 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
- Localism
- Rock jetties
- Submerged rocks
- Possible submerged debris near the structures
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards are reported for town beaches; no confirmation of lifeguards specifically at Jetty 4.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional rescue availability is reported as limited; one provider also indicated rescue is limited/absent for the specific spot context.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services are accessible via 911; primary regional medical facility is Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. (No spot-specific emergency procedure found for Jetty 4.)
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism is explicitly flagged as a factor; moderate local culture reported.
Rules of the spot
No specific local rules were found for the spot beyond general surfing etiquette and respect for the local lineup.
- No surfing in designated swimming zones during lifeguard hours.
- Seasonal parking permits may be required during the summer (May through September).
- Be respectful of the regulars in the lineup.
- Rip currents are common near the jetties, especially during larger swells.
- Arrive early to secure parking; bring cash.
- Check the tide—conditions can get too soft at dead high or too shallow and heavy at dead low.
- Respect the local lineup, especially on peak weekend swells.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Westhampton Beach
- Nearest Town
- Southampton
- Parking
- Parking is highly restricted in the summer; town or village permits are typically required from May through September. Arrive early and bring cash (general Hamptons parking advice for surf areas).
- Cost Level
- Luxury
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Nearby high-end accommodation options across Westhampton Beach and Southampton.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Jetty 4?
The best overall months at Jetty 4 are September.
Which wind directions work at Jetty 4?
Jetty 4 works with N, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NW.
What skill level is Jetty 4 suitable for?
Jetty 4 suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.