Linkys (New Hampshire)
- Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Linkys is an exposed reef and point break in North Hampton that’s known for unreliable surf, so conditions can vary quickly. It’s a reef-break best on low tide, and the most successful sessions are reported when a northeast swell pairs with offshore winds from the west to west-southwest (often described as west or west-northwest). Winds can also shift the character of the break, so offshore alignment matters. The lineup is rocky and hazardous: sources consistently warn about rips/strong currents and rocks, including large submerged boulders and sharp rocks throughout the area. The take-off zone is described as tight, and the spot can involve localism, so practicing standard etiquette and being careful around navigation between boulders is important. Surf quality is described as good to moderate when conditions are right, with a right-hand wave pattern. Well-formed swells can produce medium rides, and one source specifically mentions rides in the roughly 50 to 100 meter range. On larger swells, the wave can become heavy and more difficult to paddle out, so plan accordingly—especially on a sensitive reef. Cold-water conditions dominate: monthly water temperatures are near freezing in winter and rise to the high teens in late summer. For safety and comfort, winter sessions call for a high-coverage winter wetsuit configuration with a hood, gloves, and boots, while warmer months still require appropriate thermal protection. Expect limited on-site rescue resources, no lifeguards, and extremely restricted parking that’s enforced by local rules.
- Exposed reef/point break, best on low tide
- Offshore west to west-southwest (west/northwest) winds are key
- Right-hand reef waves with peeling character when conditions line up
- Cold water year-round; winter near-freezing
- Best conditions can line up on low tide with a northeast swell and offshore west/west-northwest winds
- Peeling right-hand reef/point waves can offer medium-to-long rides when well formed
- Well-regarded among New England surfers as a better reef-break option in the region
- Exposed reef/point break with unreliable waves
- Hazards include rips and rocks/submerged boulders
- Parking is extremely limited and access involves rocky paths
- Cold water year-round, requiring winter gear
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal-system winds are noted; offshore conditions are typically associated with west or west-northwest.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- The point can provide some shelter from North winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky shoreline and reef with limited access routes.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size is described as medium; working swell is commonly noted in the 1.0 to 2.5 meter range for optimal conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky shoreline with limited entry points; requires careful navigation between boulders.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Rocky access and careful navigation are required.
Through the year
Can be very crowded on weekends and during prime swells in autumn.
Nor'easters are common from late autumn through spring; storm systems and tropical storms can occur late summer and autumn.
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed reef and point break with unreliable surf that works best on low tide when a northeast swell combines with offshore west-southwest (or west/northwest) winds.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE, ENE, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Best at low tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef/point; semi-sheltered only in the sense of the point offering some shelter from certain wind directions.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore with west or northwest winds; cross-shore from the north or south.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle significant size but becomes heavy and difficult to paddle out when well overhead; unreliable/heavy conditions are reported on bigger swell.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality is described as good when conditions line up; overall wave performance is still noted as unreliable.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer rides of 50 to 100 meters on well-formed swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 75 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typically medium rides; sources mention about 50 to 100 meters on well-formed swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Linkys (New Hampshire) in the full forecast view.
Linkys (New Hampshire) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- W264°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 3010 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.9 m7s period
- Temperature
- 1–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Linkys (New Hampshire) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Friday, October 30 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.2–0.9 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
- Rips
- Rocks
- Strong currents
- Submerged boulders
- Cold water
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated wind/surf rescue is noted; emergency response relies on local monitoring and calling 911.
- Emergency Info
- Portsmouth Regional Hospital is the nearest major medical facility.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Local lineup/take-off zone is tight; respect the local lineup.
Rules of the spot
Beware of rips and rocks; standard surfing etiquette applies and the take-off zone is tight.
- Parking is extremely restricted; many nearby areas are resident-only parking.
- The spot is best at low tide when the reef provides the best shape.
- Parking is extremely limited and strictly enforced by the town of North Hampton.
- Expect strong currents and rips to develop during larger swells, especially near the point.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- North Hampton
- Nearest Town
- North Hampton
- Parking
- Extremely restricted; many nearby areas are resident-only parking. Public parking is available further north or south at designated state beach lots.
- Access
- Accessible via Route 1A (Ocean Boulevard), but physical access to the water is via rocky paths.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various inns and motels along Route 1A and in nearby Hampton Beach.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants and cafes are located a short drive north in Rye or south in Hampton.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in nearby Rye and Hampton offer rentals.
- Gear Storage
- Not widely available at public access points; storage is typically restricted to private school facilities or long-term residents.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and wetsuit repair services are available at local surf shops.
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 Linkys (New Hampshire)?
The best overall months at Linkys (New Hampshire) are January, February, March, September, October, November. The best wind months are January, February, March, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Linkys (New Hampshire)?
Linkys (New Hampshire) works with W, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, NW.
What skill level is Linkys (New Hampshire) suitable for?
Linkys (New Hampshire) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.