Montauk
Montauk, New York, United States
Sports: Surfing, Surf foiling
Best time to go: August–November
Montauk sits at the eastern tip of Long Island in New York, where the south shore meets the open Atlantic. Ditch Plains is its best-known break, with other rocky points and coves nearby such as Turtle Cove below the lighthouse.
The coast faces south and south-east, so it picks up swells from hurricanes passing offshore in late summer and autumn, and from winter storms. North and north-west winds blow offshore and clean up the waves. Ditch Plains breaks over a mix of rock, boulders and sand and gives long, gentle peaks on small to medium swells, suiting longboarders, beginners and surf foilers, while the points nearby become fast and powerful on bigger swells and suit experienced surfers. Autumn from about August to November is the best time, with regular swells and fewer visitors. In summer the line-up at Ditch Plains is very crowded and lifeguarded swimming areas may limit where surfing is allowed, so check local rules. The water is cold most of the year: around 20 °C in late summer, but a 4/3 wetsuit in autumn and a 5 mm suit with boots and hood in winter.
Spots near Montauk
- Newport, Rhode Island – Narragansett Bay (69 km)
- Rockaway Beach – New York (168 km)
More: All spots in United States · Surfing in United States · Surf foiling in United States