Seaside Heights/ Casino Pier is a sand-bottom setup that breaks on either side of the pier and delivers some of the longest tube rides in New Jersey. It was one of the premier waves in the state before Hurricane Sandy dumped the roller coaster and most of the amusements into the sea. The rebuilt pier is much shorter now, but it still picks up just about any swell, and when the sand is good it usually beats most other breaks in the area.
When It Works
The pier picks up a low-tide bar right out front, but with submerged debris a hazard there, the focus has shifted to the peaks running up and down the beach. On a northeast swell at higher tides, the south side can throw a high-performance, bowly right that breaks back into the pier, mirrored by a less intense left on the north side when the swell swings southerly. You get both lefts and rights here, and the break is consistent.
It draws swell from northeast through east-southeast to south (NE-ESE-S), with east (E) the best match. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 3.7 m / 12 ft. Autumn and winter, roughly September through March, are the prime months.
Wind and Tide
Look for west (W) offshore wind. Tide depends on the sandbar and the size, but mid tide is a good bet, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is a friendly lineup, but expect it to be busy when it works, with a solid crew of locals who run the show. Shortboards and fish suit the wave, and it's approachable enough for beginners since it usually doesn't break that far out, making the paddle manageable.
Access
Getting in is annoying in summer but pretty easy the rest of the year. There are restrooms and lifeguards on hand, plus a car park with paid and metered parking.
