Stony Point
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Flat
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
For the safest experience, treat Stony Point as an advanced, cold-water break: the entry is over grapefruit-sized rocks that are incredibly slippery, and strong currents can be present during heavier swells. Winter surfing is common, but ice build-up on the shoreline is an important hazard; boots are strongly recommended even outside mid-winter due to the sharp, slippery rock. When planning sessions, watch for the wind becoming strong enough (especially Southwest builds) and then easing slightly to improve wave face quality.
- Exposed Lake Ontario break with winter-focused surfing
- Rocky entry and nearby submerged hazards
- Wind/wave building potential during stormy SW regimes
- Cold-water requirement: winter wetsuit with hood, gloves, and boots
- Reasonably consistent surf on Lake Ontario when conditions line up
- Works well for experienced/cold-water surfers
- Wind patterns driven by frontal systems can support strong wave-making conditions
- Exposed conditions on open water
- Rocky entry/shore hazards (slippery rocks and submerged boulders)
- Winter sessions bring significant ice build-up risk
- Rescue support is limited
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WSW, NW
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal systems on Lake Ontario producing consistent westerlies; plus a distinct wind pattern in spring/early summer.
- Reliability
- Low; highly dependent on seasonal storm systems.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Areas immediately under the lee of the lighthouse point during Northwest winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Some sources describe sand; other sources describe rocky composition—expect mixed rocky shoreline hazards depending on exact entry.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline with limited space for launching wind sports; primarily used as a paddle-out for surfing.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult
Through the year
Highest in Autumn when the best swells occur, but generally low profile.
Autumn and early Winter for wind-driven swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible for expert riders during storm cycles, though the rocky shoreline makes launching and landing extremely hazardous.
- Sail Sizes
- 3.5–5 m²
Challenging due to the shallow rocky bottom and lack of a safe sandy launch area.
- Foil Friendly
- No
Exposed freshwater break on Lake Ontario with reasonably consistent surf for experienced surfers; winter sessions are common and require thick cold-water gear.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open exposure to lake winds and weather; no meaningful protection from swell/wind.
- Wind Effect
- Southwest and West winds build/shape the swell; East or Southeast winds can groom faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well but becomes difficult to paddle against the current on larger sets.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can peel for significant distances along the rocky point.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical ride length reported as roughly 50–150 meters when conditions align.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Stony Point in the full forecast view.
Stony Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–12 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- SSW211°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2912 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.7 m3s period
- Temperature
- 2–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Stony Point is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 0.1–0.7 m with a period of about 3s. 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
- Slippery rocks on entry
- Submerged boulders
- Strong currents
- Hypothermia
- Ice build-up on the shoreline during winter
- Ice chunks during winter months
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional emergency response is managed through local law enforcement, with Coast Guard monitoring along the eastern shore.
- Emergency Info
- Dial 911 in an emergency; nearest major medical facility is in Watertown.
Rules of the spot
- Limited safe launching space due to rocky shoreline conditions.
- Wait for strong Southwest winds to build the swell, followed by a slight shift or drop in wind for cleaner faces.
- Booties are essential even in summer due to sharp, slippery rocks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Watertown
- Nearest Town
- Henderson
- Nearest Airport
- Watertown International Airport (ART) - 20 miles
- Parking
- Limited roadside parking or parking at nearby state park facilities.
- Public Transport
- Public transportation is extremely limited in this rural area; a personal vehicle or rental car is essential.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Seasonal cottage rentals and campgrounds in Henderson Harbor.
- Food & Drink
- Small restaurants and convenience stores available in Henderson and Henderson Harbor.
- Equipment Rental:
- Basic watercraft rentals (e.g., kayaks and paddleboards) are available nearby, but specialized wind-sports gear rental is limited.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Town of Henderson is a tranquil, rural destination focused on Lake Ontario’s natural beauty and freshwater recreation.
Scenic limestone cliffs with miles of hiking and biking trails along the Lake Ontario shoreline.
An island near the northern tip of Stony Point.
The most widely recognized building in the town.
The site of a pivotal naval battle during the War of 1812, featuring a museum and historical reenactments.
Known as the 'Bass Capital of the World,' offering trophy fishing for bass, walleye, and trout.
Waterfront dining with a classic North Country atmosphere.
Large sandy beach with playground facilities and shaded picnic areas.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Stony Point?
The best overall months at Stony Point are April, May, June, October, November, December. The best wind months are April, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Stony Point?
Stony Point works with W, WSW, NW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Stony Point?
Recommended equipment sizes at Stony Point: Windsurfing: 3.5–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Stony Point suitable for?
Stony Point suits these riding levels: Windsurfing: Expert · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.