Sandy Hook and Eastern Monmouth Beaches: rip current risk and surf forecast

New JerseyNear Long Branch, Monmouth CountyNWS zone NJZ014NWS Philadelphia/Mt Holly

Rip current risk today: High. Life-threatening rip currents are likely. The surf zone is dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water.

Surf 4 to 6 feet, water in the lower 70s. Buoy SDHN4, 12 mi out, measured 70 °F water. Sunset 6:53 PM.

Rip current risk: HighToday
Surf: 4 to 6 feetForecast
Water: In the lower 70sForecast
Sunset: 6:53 PMEDT

Rip current risk on the map

Today’s rip current risk in every surf zone the National Weather Service forecasts for over Sandy Hook and Eastern Monmouth Beaches. Open it for the live map, where it pans and zooms.

Open the live map with rip current risk

Map layer from NOAA National Weather Service surf zone forecasts. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Alerts in force3

Beach hazards statements, high surf advisories, rip current statements and every other National Weather Service product in force for zone NJZ014.

High Surf Advisoryuntil Fri 6:00 PM
High Surf Advisory issued September 22 at 4:42AM EDT until September 25 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents expected. For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 6 to 12 feet expected in the surf zone. * WHERE...Eastern Monmouth. * WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, from 8 AM EDT this morning through Friday afternoon. For the High Surf Advisory, from 6 AM Wednesday to 6 PM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant beach erosion is likely through this week and into the weekend.
Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions. Always obey posted Beach Flags. If you enter the surf zone, always have a floatation device with you and swim near a lifeguard if possible. If caught in a rip current, relax and float and do not swim against the current. If able, swim parallel to the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
Rip Current Statementuntil Fri 6:00 PM
Rip Current Statement issued September 22 at 4:42AM EDT until September 25 at 6:00PM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents expected. For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 6 to 12 feet expected in the surf zone. * WHERE...Eastern Monmouth. * WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, from 8 AM EDT this morning through Friday afternoon. For the High Surf Advisory, from 6 AM Wednesday to 6 PM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant beach erosion is likely through this week and into the weekend.
Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions. Always obey posted Beach Flags. If you enter the surf zone, always have a floatation device with you and swim near a lifeguard if possible. If caught in a rip current, relax and float and do not swim against the current. If able, swim parallel to the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
Wind Advisoryuntil Thu 12:00 AM
Wind Advisory issued September 22 at 2:51AM EDT until September 24 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
* WHAT...Northeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. * WHERE...In Delaware, Delaware Beaches County. In New Jersey, Eastern Monmouth, Atlantic Coastal Cape May, Coastal Atlantic, and Coastal Ocean Counties. * WHEN...From 6 AM Wednesday to midnight EDT Wednesday Night. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects.

All alerts for this area.

Today and tomorrow

From the National Weather Service beach forecast, issued 316 AM EDT, 9/22/2026.

Today Today

High rip current risk

Rip current risk: High
Surf: 4 to 6 feet
Water temperature: In the lower 70s
UV index: Low
High temperature: In the upper 60s
Weather: Cloudy. A chance of showers
Wind: Northeast winds around 20 mph
Thunderstorms: None

UV index 2 or less. Little danger for most people.

Tomorrow Wednesday

High rip current risk

Rip current risk: High
Surf: 6 to 10 feet
High temperature: In the upper 60s
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Wind: Windy. Northeast winds around 30 mph
Thunderstorms: None

The surf zone forecast, period by period

Eastern Monmouth. Issued 3:16 AM EDT on Tue, Sep 22 by the National Weather Service in Philadelphia/Mt Holly.

High rip current risk in effect from 8 am edt this morning through friday afternoon

High surf advisory in effect from 6 am wednesday to 6 pm edt friday

Today

Rip Current Risk: High
Surf Height: 4 to 6 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
UV Index: Low
Water Temperature: In the lower 70s
Weather: Cloudy. A chance of showers
High Temperature: In the upper 60s
Winds: Northeast winds around 20 mph
Tides, Belmar: Low at 10:37 AM EDT. High at 04:56 PM EDT
Sunrise: 6:43 AM
Sunset: 6:55 PM

Wednesday

Rip Current Risk: High
Surf Height: 6 to 10 feet
Thunderstorm Potential: None
Weather: Mostly cloudy
High Temperature: In the upper 60s
Winds: Windy. Northeast winds around 30 mph
Tides, Belmar: Low at 11:24 AM EDT. High at 05:44 PM EDT
Sunrise: 6:44 AM
Sunset: 6:54 PM

The office's notes on this forecast

Rip Current Risk Category * Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however, life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. * Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone. * High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see: https://www.weather.gov/beach/phi

The product as issued

FZUS51 KPHI 220716
SRFPHI

Surf Zone Forecast for New Jersey and Delaware
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
316 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

NJZ014-222200-
Eastern Monmouth-
Including the beaches of Sandy Hook
316 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH
FRIDAY AFTERNOON...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM WEDNESDAY TO 6 PM EDT
FRIDAY...

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................4 to 6 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
UV Index**..................Low. 
Water Temperature...........In the lower 70s. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. A chance of showers. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 20 mph.
Tides...
   Belmar...................Low at 10:37 AM EDT.
                            High at 04:56 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:43 AM. 
Sunset......................6:55 PM.

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................6 to 10 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Windy. Northeast winds around 30 mph.
Tides...
   Belmar...................Low at 11:24 AM EDT.
                            High at 05:44 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:44 AM. 
Sunset......................6:54 PM.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/phi

$$

NJZ026-222200-
Coastal Ocean-
Including the beaches of Long Beach Island
316 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH
FRIDAY AFTERNOON...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM EDT
FRIDAY...

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................4 to 6 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
UV Index**..................Low. 
Water Temperature...........In the low 70s. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Showers likely. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Breezy. Northeast winds around 25 mph.
Tides...
   Barnegat Inlet...........Low at 11:08 AM EDT.
                            High at 05:19 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:43 AM. 
Sunset......................6:56 PM.

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................6 to 10 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Windy. Northeast winds 30 to 35 mph. 
Tides...
   Barnegat Inlet...........Low at 11:56 AM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:44 AM. 
Sunset......................6:54 PM.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/phi

$$

NJZ025-222200-
Coastal Atlantic-
Including the beaches of Atlantic City
316 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH
FRIDAY AFTERNOON...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM EDT
FRIDAY...

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................4 to 6 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
UV Index**..................Low. 
Water Temperature...........In the low 70s. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Showers likely. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Breezy. Northeast winds around 25 mph.
Tides...
   Atlantic City............Low at 10:50 AM EDT.
                            High at 05:15 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:44 AM. 
Sunset......................6:57 PM.

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................6 to 10 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of 
                            showers. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Windy. Northeast winds 30 to 35 mph.
Tides...
   Atlantic City............Low at 11:39 AM EDT.
                            High at 05:58 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:45 AM. 
Sunset......................6:55 PM.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/phi

$$

NJZ024-222200-
Atlantic Coastal Cape May-
Including the beaches of Ocean City
316 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH
FRIDAY AFTERNOON...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM EDT
FRIDAY...

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................4 to 6 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
UV Index**..................Low. 
Water Temperature...........In the low 70s. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Showers likely. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Breezy. Northeast winds around 25 mph.
Tides...
   Cape May.................Low at 11:11 AM EDT.
                            High at 05:49 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:46 AM. 
Sunset......................6:58 PM.

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................6 to 10 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers. 
High Temperature............In the lower 70s. 
Winds.......................Windy. Northeast winds 30 to 35 mph.
Tides...
   Cape May.................High at 06:17 AM EDT.
                            Low at 12:00 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:47 AM. 
Sunset......................6:57 PM.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/phi

$$

DEZ004-222200-
Delaware Beaches-
Including the beaches of Rehoboth Beach
316 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH
FRIDAY AFTERNOON...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM EDT
FRIDAY...

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................4 to 6 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
UV Index**..................Low. 
Water Temperature...........In the low 70s. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. Showers likely. 
High Temperature............In the lower 70s. 
Winds.......................Breezy. Northeast winds around 25 mph.
Tides...
   Rehoboth Beach...........Low at 10:56 AM EDT.
                            High at 05:36 PM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:47 AM. 
Sunset......................7:00 PM.

.WEDNESDAY...
Rip Current Risk............High. 
Surf Height.................6 to 10 feet. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....None. 
Weather.....................Cloudy. A chance of showers. 
High Temperature............In the lower 70s. 
Winds.......................Windy. Northeast winds around 35 mph. 
Tides...
   Rehoboth Beach...........Low at 11:48 AM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................6:48 AM. 
Sunset......................6:58 PM.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/phi


$$

Staarmann

The water now, measured

Buoy SDHN4, 8531680 - Sandy Hook, NJ, 12 mi away, reported 11:18 AM.

Water temperature: 70 °F
Wind: 14 kt from the ENE

From NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Wave height is the significant height, the average of the highest third; the largest waves run half again as high. Offshore buoys read bigger than the surf at the beach.

Tides today

Long Branch (fishing pier), 1.2 mi away. Feet above mean lower low water.

High tide4:47 AM3.9 ft
Low tide10:46 AM1.3 ft
High tide5:05 PM4.6 ft
Low tide11:23 PM0.8 ft

Low tide often exposes the sandbars and channels that shape rip currents, and the risk can run higher for an hour or two either side of it. Full tide table for Long Branch (fishing pier).

Sun and daylight

Sunrise today: 6:43 AM
Sunset today: 6:53 PM
Sunrise tomorrow: 6:44 AM
Sunset tomorrow: 6:51 PM

Times are Eastern Daylight Time. Lifeguards are off duty outside posted hours, and the rip current risk does not fall with the light.

Beaches in this forecast

Sandy Hook

As the National Weather Service lists them in its surf zone forecast.

What this means

The three levels the National Weather Service issues, and what to do at each.

High	Life-threatening rip currents are likely. The surf zone is dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water.
Moderate	Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.
Low	Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. Swim near a lifeguard.

If a rip current carries you out

Do not fight the current. It pulls you away from the beach, not under the water.
Stay calm and keep your head above water. Float or tread water until the pull eases.
Swim parallel to the beach, along the shore, until you are out of the current, then angle in toward the beach.
If you cannot escape, face the shore, wave your arms and call for help.
If someone else is caught, do not go in after them. Get a lifeguard, call 911, and throw them something that floats.

Thunderstorms and lightning

No thunderstorms are in the forecast today. Water and open sand leave you the tallest thing around. When thunder roars, go indoors: leave the water and the beach for a building or a hard-topped vehicle, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back.

A rip current is a narrow stream of water flowing away from the beach, through the surf and past the breakers. It pulls swimmers out, not under. Rip current and lightning safety guidance from the National Weather Service.

Nearby

The stretches of shore the National Weather Service forecasts on either side of this one.

More for this place

Sources

Rip current risk, surf, water temperature and UV from the National Weather Service surf zone forecast and beach forecast, office PHI, issued 316 AM EDT, 9/22/2026. Original at NWS. Waves and water temperature measured by NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Tides from NOAA CO-OPS. Alerts from the National Weather Service for zone NJZ014.