Asbury Park is a standard New Jersey beachbreak that breaks over sand and throws both rights and lefts. It isn't as shapely as some of the nearby towns, but it has its days, especially during hurricanes and nor'easters. When it's on, the waves come through thick with barrels aplenty, and it earns a decent rating on the right swell.
When It Works
The break draws swell from east-northeast through southeast to south (ENE-SE-S), and autumn and winter are the prime months, roughly September through March. It's usable from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft, which covers everything from waist high to well overhead. Bigger, thicker days tend to line up when a strong swell arrives.
Wind and Tide
Look for west (W) offshore wind to clean things up, with a workable wind window running from southwest through west-northwest to north-northwest (SW-WNW-NNW). The bank works best on low and mid tide, and a rising tide is better. Save the higher tides for the bigger days.
Local Tips
Asbury Park is friendly to a wide range of surfers, from beginners to experts, and handles just about any board, whether that's a shortboard, fish, funboard, longboard, or bodyboard. Expect a moderately busy lineup when it's working, with a somewhat reserved atmosphere. Paddling is mellow most of the time, though rips form around the groins on bigger days, so keep an eye on the shallow sandbanks and the current near the rocks.
Access
Access has improved in recent years. If you're paddling out over the summer, be aware that beach badges are required.
