Newcombs Hollow (Wellfleet Coast)
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Newcombs Hollow is an exposed Atlantic beach break in the Cape Cod National Seashore area near Wellfleet, known for dependable year-round surf and the ability to produce both lefts and rights. Surf quality is generally best at low tide, when the sandbar setup tends to form more defined peaks. The break is described as peeling with generally good wave quality, and offshore west (and west-northwest) winds are commonly linked with cleaner faces. Northeast/east swells are identified as the most favorable swell directions for the spot. Safety is a major consideration here. Strong rip currents and strong currents are common outside designated swimming zones marked by flags and buoys, and heavy shorebreak can add to the challenge. Shark sightings—particularly great white shark sightings—are described as very common, especially in late summer and fall; visitors are advised to pay close attention to shark warnings/flags. Lifeguards are seasonal (typically during summer peak hours), and rescue availability is described as limited outside those periods. The access involves a steep dune walk down to the beach, and it can be a workout when returning—so conditions and timing matter. Visitors should plan for very cold water and use appropriate cold-water surf gear throughout the year; winter conditions generally require a thicker wetsuit setup including hood, gloves, and boots.
- Dependable exposed beach break with lefts and rights
- Best peaks commonly around low tide
- Offshore west winds can groom surf faces
- Requires careful attention to currents and seasonal shark warnings
- Exposed beach break with dependable surf that can work year-round
- Lefts and rights; commonly best around low tide
- Offshore west winds can groom cleaner surf faces
- Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore with monitored water quality
- Strong rip currents and strong currents outside designated zones
- Great white shark sightings are very common, especially in late summer and fall
- Challenging access down/up a steep dune
- Cold water year-round; heavy neoprene typically needed in winter
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW, SW
- Offshore directions
- W, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Primarily gradient winds in the spot area; offshore grooming when winds come from the west.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- High coastal dunes can create a wind shadow for the immediate shoreline on offshore winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with tall/steep dunes.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Swell/surf described as medium with the potential to increase significantly depending on conditions.
- Chop Level
- Light chop
- Launch
- Medium — Spacious sandy beach at the base of steep coastal dunes; open beach with tall dunes backing the shore.
Through the year
Summer can be crowded; autumn and winter are much quieter.
Late summer to early fall (August through October) can bring powerful storm remnants; Northeast 'Noreasters' are most frequent from October through April.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Open Atlantic exposure plus strong currents make it unsuitable for beginners; described as an advanced wave-riding location best on side-shore or slightly side-offshore days for experienced riders.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Challenging wave-sailing due to Atlantic shorebreak and shifting peaks; suited to experienced riders.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Challenging because of shorebreak and swell; better suited to calmer bay-side conditions, though it is still possible for experts in clean swell.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendliness is described as limited for the main launch conditions.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break with dependable surf and lefts and rights. Typically works best at low tide and with offshore west winds; swell orientation is generally most favorable from the northeast/east.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE, ENE, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide is consistently cited as the preferred tide for better peaks.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open Atlantic exposure.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore west and northwest winds groom the face for cleaner conditions; best with offshore westerly winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold significant size but may begin to close out on extremely large, long-period swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Can be dependable and powerful depending on swell; can start to close out on extremely large, long-period swells.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling with potential for short hollow barrels or longer peeling walls depending on sandbars.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling walls are a common description; exact speed varies with sandbar configuration.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium; can range from shorter barrels to longer walls depending on sandbar setup.
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer short, hollow barrels or longer peeling walls depending on the sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Newcombs Hollow (Wellfleet Coast) in the full forecast view.
Newcombs Hollow (Wellfleet Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–19 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- WNW283°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2719 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.4 m6s period
- Temperature
- 8–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Newcombs Hollow (Wellfleet Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.3–1.4 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
- Strong rip currents and lateral drift (especially during larger swells)
- Strong currents outside designated zones
- Heavy shorebreak
- Great white sharks / shark sightings are very common, especially in late summer and fall
- Frigid water temperatures in winter
- Steep dune access that is strenuous when climbing back up
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards typically operate during summer peak periods (late June through Labor Day), often cited as 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited outside the lifeguarded summer period.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services: 911. Regional emergency support includes Wellfleet Police/Fire; nearest hospital is in Hyannis (Hyannis is cited as nearest major hospital area).
Rules of the spot
Stay within designated swimming zones marked by flags and buoys. No swimming in lifeguard-protected or restricted areas; during peak hours, lifeguard coverage applies to designated swim zones rather than surf areas.
- No surfing or swimming in lifeguard-protected swim zones (during lifeguard hours)
- No swimming outside designated zones
- Cape Cod National Seashore parking fees / beach pass requirements in season
- Check for shark warnings/signals (including the shark flag) and stay updated on sightings
- Surf is best around low tide for more defined peaks
- Best conditions often come with offshore west winds
- Expect a steep walk down the dune and plan for the climb back up
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Wellfleet, Massachusetts
- Nearest Town
- Wellfleet
- Parking
- Wellfleet beach passes required for parking 9:00 AM–5:00 PM from the third Saturday in June through Labor Day; free parking at other times. National Seashore parking fees/pass can also be required during summer.
- Access
- Accessible via Gross Hill Road or Newcomb Hollow Beach Road in Wellfleet, MA; parking available at town lots (seasonal pass/fees may apply). A steep sand path leads down the dune to the beach from the parking area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous seasonal rentals, boutique inns, and campgrounds in and around Wellfleet center and within the National Seashore area.
- Food & Drink
- Seasonal snack bars are sometimes nearby, with most dining located in Wellfleet center via short drive.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available through local surf shops in Wellfleet and nearby Orleans.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is limited; most riders rely on private vehicle storage or seasonal rentals.
- Gear Repair
- Minor surfboard repairs available at local shops; major kite/sail repair may require travel to farther locations.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Pristine sandy beaches, marshes, and ponds managed by the NPS.
A classic 1957 drive-in cinema, also hosting a large flea market.
Extensive cycling paths and scenic roads through the pine barrens and dunes.
Seaside bar and restaurant located atop the dunes.
NPS-managed sanctuary with trails and nature programs.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Newcombs Hollow (Wellfleet Coast)?
The best overall months at Newcombs Hollow (Wellfleet Coast) are June, July, August. The best wind months are January, February, March, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Newcombs Hollow (Wellfleet Coast)?
Newcombs Hollow (Wellfleet Coast) works with W, NW, SW winds. Offshore directions are W, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Newcombs Hollow (Wellfleet Coast)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Newcombs Hollow (Wellfleet Coast): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Newcombs Hollow (Wellfleet Coast) suitable for?
Newcombs Hollow (Wellfleet Coast) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Intermediate.