Long Beach (Barnum Island)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Medium waves, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Long Beach (Barnum Island) is an exposed ocean-front surf spot influenced by beach/jetty and breakwater structure, with clean water conditions most often cited during September. Surf is commonly best around low tide, and the setup can offer both lefts and rights depending on where the peak forms along the jetty-stabilized sand/bar system. For surfers, the biggest priority is water safety. Multiple sources flag dangerous rip currents and strong longshore drift as recurring hazards, often forming near the stone jetties/groynes and creating tricky nearshore currents. Additional hazards include buoys, rocks, and wave-breaker/jetty impacts, and the beach can also see moderate shorebreak energy. Wind conditions can be favorable for kitesurfing and other wind sports, especially with the south to west wind sector described (SSE through W/WSW). Thermal sea breezes are noted to build in the afternoon during warmer months, but reliability is described as moderate. Seasonal restrictions for kitesurfing/windsurfing during lifeguard hours are commonly noted, and surfing is restricted to designated surf areas. Overall, the spot is best treated as a September-focused destination for surf quality and reduced “blown out” frequency, while summer brings higher crowding and stricter access/behavior rules. Plan around low tide windows, expect frequent nearshore hazards from the jetties, and arrive early in peak season due to limited/strict parking.
- Exposed beach/jetty and breakwater-influenced surf with low-tide preference
- September is the key month for clean surfable conditions (clean odds reported around 42% and blown odds around 51% depending on sub-identification)
- Rip currents frequently form adjacent to stone jetties/groynes
- Offshore wind behavior is reported from the north sector for surf grooming
- Consistent, exposed ocean/jetty-driven surf potential year-round
- Often best in September with a higher chance of clean, surfable conditions
- Good public transport access via LIRR to Long Beach (plus short walk/bike to beach)
- Wind options can support kitesurfing and wing/foil progression (with careful hazard awareness)
- Dangerous rip currents and strong currents near jetties
- Jetty/rock hazards and buoys near the line
- Seasonal beach and access restrictions during peak summer lifeguard hours
- Can be crowded, especially around September
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Summer sea-breeze pattern with afternoon build; autumn/winter influenced by frontal systems.
- Reliability
- Moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Lullier/less gusty than many storm-driven beaches.
- Best Months
- September, October, November, March, April, May
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with jetty/groyne segmentation.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Surfs range from small to potentially big depending on season; kiting sources note medium to big waves.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach sections, but space is reduced at high tide; multiple jetty segments.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Jetty layout and reduced space at high tide can increase difficulty.
Through the year
Often crowded; summer can be very crowded, and September is frequently the cleanest (and still busy).
Hurricane season and winter storms (peak Sep–Nov; secondary Aug, Dec, Jan, Feb).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible with medium to big waves for riding waves and freeride; hazards include currents, buoys, and rock/jetty impacts. Seasonal restrictions can apply during lifeguard hours.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Ocean-swell/shorebreak riding with jetties that make the spot challenging for beginners.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Increasingly popular; be mindful of jetties and ensure enough depth to clear foils near the shore.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Enough depth around the area is required; foils must clear nearshore hazards.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach/jetty and breakwater-influenced surf with consistent year-round potential. Low tide is often the best time for a more favorable setup; expect both lefts and rights depending on the peak location. Jetties/groynes stabilize sand and help create reliable takeoff zones.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE, E, SSE, ESE, ENE
- Swell Height
- 0.6–0.9 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open ocean exposure with jetty/rockbreak influence; not sheltered.
- Wind Effect
- North-northwest through north winds are described as offshore and groom the swell into cleaner peaks; other directions can degrade groom/shape.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold significant size, but may become a heavy beach-break with difficult paddle-outs.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Soft — Soft-to-moderate energy depending on swell and wind.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Jetty/groyne-influenced peaks can peel; conditions vary by tide and swell.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically short to medium rides depending on sandbar/jetty setup.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically offer short to medium rides depending on sandbar/jetty quality, often peeling well off the jetties.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Long Beach (Barnum Island) in the full forecast view.
Long Beach (Barnum Island) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- WNW294°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2710 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.7 m6s period
- Temperature
- 7–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Long Beach (Barnum Island) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.2–0.7 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
- dangerous rip currents
- currents
- buoys
- rocks
- wave breaker
- stone jetties (groynes)
- heavy shorebreak
- strong longshore drift
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard coverage.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Call 911 for emergencies. Nearest hospital facility referenced as Long Beach Medical Center; regional baseline notes Coast Guard maritime SAR coverage year-round and professional seasonal lifeguard towers on designated beach parks.
Rules of the spot
Leashes required for surfers. Foil boards prohibited at all times. Seasonal restrictions apply (e.g., kitesurfing/windsurfing typically prohibited during lifeguard hours on main beaches; surfing restricted to designated surf beaches). Surfing beaches are subject to change by the Chief of Lifeguards, and surfing may close at noon on holidays/weekends.
- Foil boards prohibited at all times.
- Leashes required.
- Surfing closes at noon on holidays/weekends (where applicable).
- Beaches subject to change at any time by the Chief of Lifeguards.
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing typically prohibited during lifeguard hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day, roughly 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM) on main beaches.
- Best around low tide.
- Expect stone jetties/groynes that segment the beach; rip currents often form adjacent to them.
- Arrive early in summer—parking can be extremely difficult and the beach can get busy.
- Use caution with nearshore rocks/jetties and moving water near break points.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Long Beach
- Nearest Town
- Rockville Centre
- Nearest Airport
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) ~12 miles / 20 km
- Parking
- Street parking available but highly restricted; many areas require resident permits or paid parking during summer months.
- Public Transport
- LIRR provides direct service from Manhattan to Long Beach with local bus connections.
- Access
- Take the Belt Pkwy east to Sunrise Hwy. Follow to Long Beach Rd., Rockville Centre. Make a right heading south on Long Beach Rd. to the beach (about 10 miles). LIRR from Penn Station also available.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and short-term rentals available in the City of Long Beach.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous options along the Long Beach boardwalk and Park Avenue.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboards and wetsuits available at local surf shops.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops offer surfboard ding repair.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A 2.2-mile historic wooden boardwalk for walking, biking, and ocean views.
Massive state park offering concerts, nature trails, and extensive beachfront.
Vibrant neighborhood in neighboring Long Beach with bars and diverse dining.
Local park with playgrounds and beach access suitable for families.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Long Beach (Barnum Island)?
The best overall months at Long Beach (Barnum Island) are September, October, November. The best wind months are September, October, November, March, April, May.
Which wind directions work at Long Beach (Barnum Island)?
Long Beach (Barnum Island) works with SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Long Beach (Barnum Island)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Long Beach (Barnum Island): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Long Beach (Barnum Island) suitable for?
Long Beach (Barnum Island) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.