Ninety-Second Street (Rockaway Beach)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ninety-Second Street (Rockaway Beach) is an exposed breakwater-style beach break in Rockaway, Queens, where surf develops around rock jetties/groins and beach peaks. The waves can be steep and fast when the setup is working, but conditions are also described as inconsistent and a bit unpredictable. Surfing is legally confined to the marked NYC Parks surfing zones (Beach 87th to 92nd St). Riders should plan to stay within the designated boundaries and follow the local requirements such as using a leash and avoiding swimming areas. The spot is suitable for intermediate surfers, though new visitors should be prepared for urban, crowded-water dynamics. Safety-wise, rip currents are a known risk alongside the rock groins, and the jetties plus debris can make wipeouts more hazardous than at a fully open sandy beach. Cold water in winter is also a consideration, and seasonally limited lifeguards increase the importance of awareness and correct gear choices. For timing, the best surf months are reported as September through March, with September highlighted as the standout month. Wetsuit guidance points to full winter protection (including hood, gloves, and boots) for colder months, while autumn can allow less bulky setups as water temps rise earlier in the season.
- Designated surfing beach within NYC Parks marked zones
- Exposed jetties/breakwater peaks with fast lefts when working
- Known for rip currents near rock groins
- Best surf months: September through March (especially September)
- Legally designated surfing spot within NYC Parks marked zones
- Exposed breakwater/jetties setup can create fun, fast lefts when working
- Good public access from NYC via transit
- Sand-bottom beach break with multiple peaks
- Exposed, so conditions can turn rough
- Inconsistent and sometimes unpredictable waves
- Rip currents are common alongside the rock groins
- Crowds can be intense, especially on weekends
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, N, NE
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal systems dominate most of the year; summer can also be influenced by sea-breeze patterns.
- Reliability
- Low to moderate; primarily dependent on storm systems
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Wave size described as small to medium depending on the source/conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach access from Beach 92nd Street; nearby jetties/rock groins every few blocks.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Extremely high in summer; moderate in winter.
Hurricane season (late summer to early fall).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed breakwater break with fun lefts off jetties/breakwaters and beach peaks. When working, it can produce steep, fast, but inconsistent waves.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SE, E
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open beach and breakwater/jetties exposure; not sheltered from weather-driven swell.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the North can provide cleaner faces; southerly winds can make conditions messy and blown-out.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold larger hurricane swells but may become heavy close-out or develop strong sweeps.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Short and punchy waves, often breaking close to the jetties.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–70 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typically short and punchy, breaking close to the jetties; ride lengths reported around 30–70 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ninety-Second Street (Rockaway Beach) in the full forecast view.
Ninety-Second Street (Rockaway Beach) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- NW306°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2710 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.6 m6s period
- Temperature
- 7–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ninety-Second Street (Rockaway Beach) 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 NW. Waves run 0.2–0.6 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
- Rip currents
- Rock jetties (groins)
- Inconsistent waves and unpredictable conditions
- Heavy crowds
- Submerged debris
- Cold water in winter
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — NYC Parks lifeguards are seasonal (Memorial Day–Labor Day).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue generally limited outside lifeguard hours and non-designated areas.
- Emergency Info
- Call 911 for emergencies; nearest hospital reported as St. John’s Episcopal Hospital.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Respect the local lineup and be mindful around the jetties.
Rules of the spot
Surfing is only permitted in designated NYC Parks surfing zones (Beach 87th to 92nd St). Surfers must stay within these boundaries; no surfing in swimming areas; leash required.
- Surfing is only allowed in marked surf-only zones (Beach 87th to 92nd St).
- No surfing in swimming areas.
- Leash required.
- Surf only in the marked surf-only zones (Beach 87th to 92nd St).
- Arrive early to beat subway crowds from Manhattan.
- When it’s working, waves can be steep and fast and may be inconsistent.
- Be mindful of the jetties when paddling and positioning.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- New York City
- Nearest Town
- Rockaway Park
- Parking
- Limited street parking; early arrival is essential during summer months.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via NYC Subway (A train to Rockaway Park/Beach stops) and the Rockaway ferry option.
- Access
- Accessible via the A train to Rockaway Park, then walk to Beach 92nd Street.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Most visitors stay in nearby areas; the Rockaway Hotel is cited as nearby.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous concessions on the boardwalk and restaurants like Rockaway Beach Surf Club nearby.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available at local surf shops near Beach 90th and Beach 92nd; concessions can also support rentals seasonally.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops provide minor to professional board repairs.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Rockaway Beach is a major NYC oceanfront recreation area with a surf-focused community and a long boardwalk that supports beach culture year-round.
A 5.5-mile long boardwalk featuring concessions, seating, and panoramic ocean views.
A former military installation turned arts and nature preserve with historic bunkers and dunes.
A major bird-watching location with hiking and kayaking options.
A cultural hub for the local surf community known for its tacos and outdoor atmosphere.
Known as the 'People's Beach,' with an iconic bathhouse and large picnic areas.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ninety-Second Street (Rockaway Beach)?
The best overall months at Ninety-Second Street (Rockaway Beach) are September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Ninety-Second Street (Rockaway Beach)?
Ninety-Second Street (Rockaway Beach) works with NW, N, NE winds. Offshore directions are N.
What skill level is Ninety-Second Street (Rockaway Beach) suitable for?
Ninety-Second Street (Rockaway Beach) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.