Ogden Dune (Beverly Shores Coast)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ogden Dune is an exposed Lake Michigan beach break near Beverly Shores that only comes together when conditions are “just right.” Offshore winds come from the south, and when the wind–swell alignment is favorable the sandbar can produce more workable, cleaner lines for surfing. The overall character is short and punchy, driven by wind and the lake’s fetch. Because the water stays very cold for much of the year, surf sessions require serious thermal protection. Hazards include rocks/submerged rocks and concrete riprap/erosion control features, and currents can intensify during larger swell events. The combination of exposure and cold water makes hypothermia risk a key consideration, particularly in shoulder-season storms and winter conditions. For wind sports, the spot supports kitesurfing, windsurfing, and wingfoiling, with typical operating windows linked to seasonal frontal passages and enough water depth beyond the first sandbar for foilers. Wind reliability is described as moderate and highly dependent on frontal strength and timing. Kite and sail size guidance is commonly adjusted for stronger frontal setups, and riders should be prepared for chop and shore-break impacts. Access and on-site constraints matter: the beach has nightly closure hours, glass is not allowed, and dog access is restricted seasonally. Parking in the town of Ogden Dunes is notably restrictive, so many visitors plan to park outside residential zones and walk in. If any lifeguards are present, their instructions should be followed; otherwise, plan for self-reliance and conservative entry given rip-current risk and exposed shoreline hazards.
- Exposed beach break on Lake Michigan that only works when the wind and swell align.
- Rocks/submerged rocks and strong-current risk during larger events.
- Offshore wind from the south is linked to cleaner, groomed surf faces.
- Classic exposed Lake Michigan sandbar-style surfing when the wind and swell align.
- Supports multiple wind sports (kitesurfing, windsurfing, wingfoiling) on appropriate wind days.
- Offshore wind from the south is associated with cleaner surf faces.
- Only works when conditions are just right, especially requiring correct wind setup.
- Exposed location with cold water and hypothermia risk.
- Rocks and submerged hazards near the shore.
- Parking and access can be difficult due to town restrictions.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW, NE
- Offshore directions
- S, SSE, SSW
- Wind Range
- 15–35 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Primarily driven by frontal/gradient weather systems (with some seasonal lake-breeze influence in the broader Beverly Shores Coast area).
- Reliability
- Moderate; highly dependent on seasonal weather systems and frontal passages.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- March, April, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Sources describe small-to-medium, with wind-driven lake swell creating short, punchy waves.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with some sections featuring concrete riprap and rocks for erosion control.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Can be crowded on rare high-quality weekend surf days; quiet during the summer months.
Late fall gales bring the most significant storm activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A versatile spot for Lake Michigan kiters, with wave riding when the wind is side-on and jumping opportunities in chop.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
A classic Indiana windsurfing spot, especially during heavy fall gales.
- Sail Sizes
- 4–5.5 m²
Suitable for winging when the water is deep enough beyond the first sandbar; requires careful navigation of the shore break.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters beyond the bars
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break on Lake Michigan that only works when conditions are perfect; involves short, punchy, wind-driven lake-swell waves and can become heavy/disorganized with winter storm gales.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Only works when conditions are just right; shifting to south offshore winds is associated with cleaner, groomed faces. Offshore winds are from the south.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and disorganized with powerful currents during winter storm gales.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Can form cleaner lines when conditions align, but overall quality is described as average.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wind-driven lake swell can build power when conditions align.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Waves are generally short and punchy, typical of wind-driven lake swell.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves are generally short and punchy; typical of wind-driven lake swell.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ogden Dune (Beverly Shores Coast) in the full forecast view.
Ogden Dune (Beverly Shores Coast) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 16 kts
- Direction
- S171°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 279 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.7 m2s period
- Temperature
- 9–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ogden Dune (Beverly Shores Coast) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 16 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 0.1–0.7 m with a period of about 2s. 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
- Rocks
- Submerged rocks
- Concrete riprap
- Rip currents
- Hypothermia/Extreme cold water
- Icy shorelines in winter
- Concrete blocks
- seasonal debris
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No sport-specific wind-sports rescue coverage for the exact segment is documented.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services are reached via 911; nearest medical facilities are in Portage or Michigan City.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Follow lifeguard instructions if present; avoid piers/jetties (100 ft rule); do not swim alone. Users must follow Indiana Dunes National Park and local municipal regulations regarding beach access and water safety.
- Beach is closed from 12:00am–5:00am daily.
- No glass allowed on the beach.
- Dogs prohibited from Friday before Memorial Day to day after Labor Day.
- Offshore winds are from the south, and the spot only works when conditions are just right.
- Check the buoy data for Lake Michigan before heading out to ensure the swell has arrived.
- Town of Ogden Dunes has restrictive parking; plan ahead and avoid getting stuck without access.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Beverly Shores
- Nearest Town
- Beverly Shores
- Parking
- Beach access exists, but parking in the town of Ogden Dunes is restricted/enforced; many visitors park outside residential zones and walk in.
- Access
- Beach access in Ogden Dunes; beach is closed from 12:00am–5:00am daily; no glass allowed; dogs prohibited from Friday before Memorial Day to day after Labor Day.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Vacation rentals in Beverly Shores or hotels in Portage and Michigan City.
- Food & Drink
- Various options available in the neighboring towns of Portage and Chesterton.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available at the beach; gear must be brought in.
- Gear Storage
- No public gear storage facilities are available on the shoreline.
- Gear Repair
- Major repairs typically require shipping gear or visiting specialized shops in Chicago.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A scenic Indiana Dunes area with protected federal parkland and coastal trails.
A diverse ecosystem featuring massive sand dunes, wetlands, and prairies.
A scenic hiking trail offering views of the Great Marsh and Lake Michigan.
Casual seafood dining located nearby in Michigan City.
A small lakeside zoo featuring over 90 species of animals.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ogden Dune (Beverly Shores Coast)?
The best overall months at Ogden Dune (Beverly Shores Coast) are October, November, December, March, April. The best wind months are March, April, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Ogden Dune (Beverly Shores Coast)?
Ogden Dune (Beverly Shores Coast) works with N, NW, NE winds. Offshore directions are S, SSE, SSW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Ogden Dune (Beverly Shores Coast)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Ogden Dune (Beverly Shores Coast): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–35 kts.
What skill level is Ogden Dune (Beverly Shores Coast) suitable for?
Ogden Dune (Beverly Shores Coast) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.