Surf: Good summer wave that gets hollow at low tide. Not too heavy. Handles swell but always has a strong drift. Environment: Stay 300ft from pier. Less crowded and the northernmost free roadside parking on Abescon Island. Tags. Surf: General: Margate is fun on a waist- to shoulder-high swell out of the east/northeast or southeast. The city allows surfing on both sides of the pier along with 3 other beaches that are surf beaches. The pier will hold any swell up to head high. Tides: Mid-high generally best Size: Chest high-well overhead Wind: NW Swell: ENE, SSE, SE Bottom: Sand Paddling: Usually pretty mellow. Spot Rating: On the right day, it can be fun but depends on the sandbar. Access: Easy, but parking is limited. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Light to moderate. Local Vibe: Mostly mellow. Environment: Pretty clean overall. Hazards: The pier, shallow bottom, rip currents. Season: September through March