Where are the best surfing beaches on the East Coast?

Question

I went surfing for the first time a few weekends ago in Ocean City, NJ. I am an East Coaster, living in the DC area. My question is what are the best surfing beaches in my area? I’m going to check out Ocean City, MD this weekend but the surf report has me less than enthused. Ive also be to Outer banks earlier this summer, and the waves did not seem great there, either. So far, Ocean City, NJ seems to be the best one I’ve seen.

Anybody out there know where the best waves are? Much appreciated!

Answer 1

Outer Banks.  All East Coast surf is pretty much hit or miss.  We don't get many long range swells like the West Coast so a spot can be flat for weeks on end and then all of a sudden start firing.

Answer 2

i surfed most of the outer banks up to nj.....and the best places are probably hatteras, nc and ocracoke island, nc.  

Answer 3

i lived in MD and the surfing is ok i like it but i also like daytona and folly beach in SC

Answer 4

in DC your local break is probably going to be the Potomac. you'll be waiting a while for sets though....

otherwise hit NC or NJ for decent hurricane swell.

my vote for best surfing beaches on the East Coast--2 in NC--both secret.....

Answer 5

I would definetly say NC. Thats where i surf and the breaks are good. Wrightsville beach NC is a nice beach to surf at and they have good surf shops and all the locals are nice. sometimes the waves can get a little small though.  but over all, the waves are great there for all levels of experience.  

Answer 6

Well it looks like the batle of the OC's. OCNJ vs. OCMD. I'll be honest with you, the east coast is at its worst in summer (of course with northeast coast weather, that's also just about the only time of year when the temperatures are comfortable for surfing for most of us). In the winter, I usually head south several times of year to an undisclosed location in SC that can have great surf (when its on) and be warm enough to enjoy year round.

If you are looking for a place that's an easy drive, I will recommend a few. OCNJ is good, but there are a few better not far away. Cape May at Poverty Beach and States Avenue in AC are usually good (when they are on). I have a favorite two spots in Cape May County, but I will not disclose them on line, they are crowded enough already.

http://www.surfline.com/travel/index.cfm...

OCMD is good too, and has a large surfing community, so there are shops and people to surf with. Go a little bit north into Delaware and check out Indian River Inlet, which I tend to prefer. http://www.surfline.com/surf-report/indi...

I guess I would not include any of them in the "BEST" category, if we were talking the whole east coast. The Outer Banks, NC (and not every day, at every beach) has some world class surf, and does Montauk Point, LI. I have surfed both and been duly impressed. I also have done Cape May County in an October hurricane swell, and it gets REALLY big. I have been surfing since 1966, and for a ride from DC, I would pick any Cape May/Atlantic County NJ break. But, with the price of gas, OCMD and Indian River look mighty appealing.