Located on the eastern end of Long Island, the Hamptons is known for its upscale beachside towns, dotted with luxury houses and crawling with the rich and famous.
What some people may not know, however, is that these exclusive pristine beaches also host some of the best waves in the Northeast.
The coastline of the Hamptons, stretching from the towns of Southampton to the tip of Montauk, provides a variety of different breaks suitable to surfers of any level.
Surfing in Hamptons
Waves in Hamptons
Many spots in the Hamptons area pick up solid swells and can provide excellent beach-break surfing to those lucky enough to make it out there.
In the right conditions, you can ride hollow, grinding tubes at breaks like Main Beach in Easthampton, or coast down the line of a slow, easy wave on a longboard at Ditch.
Depending on the swell and the break, you’ll find a lot of different wave-options out east. There can be right breaks, left breaks, and mostly A-frame breaks throughout the coastline of the Hamptons that change from swell to swell.
Like many surf spots in and around the New York area, surfing in the Hamptons requires some pre-planning and checking up on the ever-changing conditions.
Swell direction and angle, wind direction, tides, and sandbars will dictate which, if any, surf spots in the Hamptons are worth making the trip for.
While there will be some waves throughout peak summer season in the Hamptons, the best time of year for surfing is going to be from late summer until early spring. The water temperature drops, but the crowds thin out, and the waves are more consistent with swells coming in from hurricanes and other storms out in the Atlantic.
One of the biggest challenges you’ll face if you want to surf in the Hamptons has nothing to do with your board, your skill, or the ocean: it’s parking. The Hamptons isn’t considered exclusive for nothing, and you’ll find there are a lot of rules and expenses in place when it comes to finding a parking spot in many of the areas.
Surf Culture in Hamptons
You’ll find your fair share of surf shops and surfboard decorations, but the Hamptons isn’t exactly the place you’re going to find a vibrant surf culture. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, especially for visitors, because localism isn’t very intense and there’s a wide range of breaks to choose from.
This being said, some parts of the Hamptons, especially Montauk, do have tight-knit communities. As always, respect for local surfers goes a long way and may score you some waves.
Gear Needed to Surf in Hamptons
During the summertime, the brisk water of the Atlantic gives way to warmer temperatures (about 70 degrees) in mid-June and will stay comfortable until mid-September, so no extra layers will be needed for that timeframe for the most part. However, like many Northeastern surf spots, you’ll need a thick wetsuit, booties, and gloves to surf through the fall into the late spring.
The surfboard best suited to the Hamptons will depend on the specific location, conditions of the day, and skill level. Make sure to consult Surfline or another online surf report to cast your judgment on where you’re going to surf and what board you should bring.
The 4 Best Surf Locations in Hamptons
It’s a little bit hard to pinpoint specific spots that are the “best” in the Hamptons due to shifting sand banks, swell directions, and wind directions that will be better or worse in different places. But overall, these spots are the most consistent…ish.
Spot 1: Ditch Plains, Montauk
Ditch is the most reliable surfing spot out east due to its cobble rock reef bottom, but it's also one of the most popular and more of a beginner’s wave.
Ditch Plains offers a slow, peeling, mushier wave great for longboarding and learning to surf. It’s going to be crowded on summer weekends, but the off-season should be much more sparse. Public parking is available, unlike some other spots in the Hamptons.
Spot 2: Camp Hero Beach and Turtle Cove
These two surf spots out in Montauk are a little more secluded than Ditch Plains and a little less beginner-friendly.
Both breaks are located to the southwest of the Montauk lighthouse. Parking is available at the lighthouse for Turtles and inside Camp Hero State Park, and you’ll find a few well-trodden paths down to the shore from both parking areas.
Watch out for strong riptides and underwater boulders -- these aren’t breaks for inexperienced swimmers and surfers.
Spot 3: Ponquogue Beach
Located along Dune Road in Hampton Bays, Ponquogue Beach can offer great waves in the right weather conditions. Parking passes are available for $30 a day if you can’t hitch a ride. The jetty on the eastern end of the beach helps shape up the waves, but it's definitely a break you’re going to want to check the surf cam for before hitting.
Spot 4: Indian Wells Beach
In Amagansett, Indian Wells Beach is an inconsistent beach break that performs best when swells come in from the south. Parking here is a near impossible feat for non-residents, so it's best to get a ride, but it's only about a mile from town if you’re willing to make the trek or hop on a bike.
There are also a number of surf shops and surf schools available around here.
What To Do in the Hamptons When the Waves are Flat
When there’s no waves, there are endless other options for how to spend your days in the Hamptons.
Hitting the beach is always a good idea, but if you’re looking for something more Hamptons-esque consider stopping by one of the vineyards, shopping in town, taking a sailboat tour, or trying out one of the hundreds of great seafood restaurants scattered throughout these seaside towns.
Conclusion: Hamptons Surfing
While surfing may not be the most popular activity for the celebrity visitors of the Hamptons, it's certainly not a spot to be overlooked for east coast surfers, and has plenty of hidden gems to offer.
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