Local Breaks
Breaks
Assateague
Capable of producing powerful lefts and rights and long rides on the outside sandbar when it’s lined up and big. Paddling out can be challenging since there are strong rips/currents and no channels. Fun for longboarders when it’s smaller. Unless it’s big, no good on higher tides. This State Park is inhabited by wild ponies and is consistent but rarely crowded.
| Assateague Stats | |
|---|---|
| Max Rideable Size (Ft.) | 12 |
| Min Rideable Size (Ft.) | 2 |
| Swell Direction | NE to S |
| Bottom Type | Sand |
| Wave Direction | R and L Peak |
| Wave Type | Man-made Break |
| Optimum Tide | Not High |
| Optimum Wind Direction | W/NW |
The Inlet and Pier
This is the most consistent and popular break in Maryland. There are three main breaks here. Steep, bowly rights off the north jetty offer the best waves. The second peak is a left and right that’s not as steep. Peaks break on either side of the pier too. On incoming tides, it can be 1-2 feet bigger. It’s usually good during hurricane swells since it is somewhat sheltered from S winds. Consistent and often crowded. Strong rips and currents when it’s big.
| Inlet Stats | |
|---|---|
| Max Rideable Size (Ft.) | 12 |
| Min Rideable Size (Ft.) | 2 |
| Swell Direction | NE to S |
| Bottom Type | Sand |
| Wave Direction | R and L Peak |
| Wave Type | Man-made Break |
| Optimum Tide | All Tides |
| Optimum Wind Direction | W |
48th Street
Usually carries the biggest waves in Ocean City. Can get absolutely perfect, bowly barrels from left and right. A consistent place for good waves when the swell is firing. Good in hurricane swells. Best during low tide. Often crowded on good days. Strong rips and currents make for a long paddle-out when it’s big.
| 48th Street Stats | |
|---|---|
| Max Rideable Size (Ft.) | 12 |
| Min Rideable Size (Ft.) | 2 |
| Swell Direction | NE to S |
| Bottom Type | Sand |
| Wave Direction | R and L Peak |
| Wave Type | Man-made Break |
| Optimum Tide | All Tides |
| Optimum Wind Direction | W |
120th Street
Can hold a big swell, especially during a hurricane. Long rights with steep drops break way out. Big but short, open lefts break on a NE swell. Strong rips/currents when it’s big. Consistent and sometimes crowded.
| 120th Street Stats | |
|---|---|
| Max Rideable Size (Ft.) | 15 |
| Min Rideable Size (Ft.) | 2 |
| Swell Direction | NE to S |
| Bottom Type | Sand |
| Wave Direction | R and L Peak |
| Wave Type | Man-made Break |
| Optimum Tide | All Tides |
| Optimum Wind Direction | W |
Fenwick
A little smaller and not as powerful as Maryland, but still grooms the swell well. Short and fast waves with barrel sections during low incoming tides. Usually produces more rights than lefts. Consistently small and not crowded.
| Fenwick Stats | |
|---|---|
| Max Rideable Size (Ft.) | 10 |
| Min Rideable Size (Ft.) | 2 |
| Swell Direction | NE to S |
| Bottom Type | Sand |
| Wave Direction | R and L Peak |
| Wave Type | Man-made Break |
| Optimum Tide | All Tides |
| Optimum Wind Direction | W |
Bethany
Has both beachbreaks and lefts and rights off the jetties. Usually small but perfect. The best spot is right off Main Street. Right barrels fire off the jetty in a NE to S swell. Swell direction controls length of ride. Consistent.
| Bethany Stats | |
|---|---|
| Max Rideable Size (Ft.) | 10 |
| Min Rideable Size (Ft.) | 2 |
| Swell Direction | NE to S |
| Bottom Type | Sand |
| Wave Direction | R and L Peak |
| Wave Type | Man-made Break |
| Optimum Tide | All Tides |
| Optimum Wind Direction | W |
Indian River Southside
Known for being one of the heaviest waves in the Maryland/Delaware area. Offers longer rights and short lefts, producing walls and quick, thick barrels. Great spot for bodyboarders. Not always consistent, but often crowded. Some rips currents when it’s big.
| Southside Stats | |
|---|---|
| Max Rideable Size (Ft.) | 15 |
| Min Rideable Size (Ft.) | 2 |
| Swell Direction | NE to S |
| Bottom Type | Sand |
| Wave Direction | R and L Peak |
| Wave Type | Peak over sand |
| Optimum Tide | All Tides |
| Optimum Wind Direction | W |
Indian River Northside
Produces long, rolling walls that stand up on the inside section and break way out. Longboarder central. Breaks get big but not too heavy. Consistent and often crowded.
| Northside Stats | |
|---|---|
| Max Rideable Size (Ft.) | 15 |
| Min Rideable Size (Ft.) | 2 |
| Swell Direction | NE to S |
| Bottom Type | Sand |
| Wave Direction | Rights |
| Wave Type | Man-made Break |
| Optimum Tide | All Tides |
| Optimum Wind Direction | W |
