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Aerial satellite view of Poles surf break in Suffolk County, New York, United States
Suffolk County, New York, United States

Poles

41.038, -71.920
Edited by Thomas Jackson
Verified May 2026
Editor-verifiedCross-checked against 1 reference
A-frame · MixedBeginner → Intermediate3–8 ftJan – Dec

Poles is a shifty, reef-sculpted peak break on the eastern tip of Long Island, sitting just west of Ditch Plains near Montauk. It needs real size to perform: waist-high days offer little, but when SE swell fills in from mid-size up to overhead-plus, the triangular peaks start stacking up with legitimate shape. NW to NNW winds are ideal, and low tide draws the wave out to expose the reef character. Intermediate surfers will find the most fun here, though the mellow sections on bigger hurricane swells are forgiving enough for committed beginners who can handle open-water paddle-outs. Outside Poles, when a solid south or southeast hurricane swell organizes it, lines up into one of the longer, softer walls on this stretch of coast. Crowds are moderate and localism is manageable, though the lineup can tighten up on quality days. Bottom: rock and sand mix. Season: September through March. Consistency: moderate. Bring a fish or longboard on smaller days, save the step-up for any real overhead-plus sets.

Wave fit

Skill suited
Beginner → Intermediate
BegIntAdv
Best months
Jan – Dec
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Character
Shifty reef-sculpted peaks, rights and lefts.

Conditions

When it works
Hazards
The cliff walkRocks.
Trip planning

Quick facts

Water temp
3° to 22°C
Wetsuit
5/4 + booties (winter); 3/2 (spring/fall); boardies (peak summer)
What to bring
  • Fish for waist-to-chest-high days
  • Longboard on softer, smaller swells
  • Step-up shortboard for overhead-plus hurricane swell
Lineup
Easy-going
Where it sits

Location

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About this break

What it's actually like

Crowd & Localism

Moderate crowds on good days, with the pack thinning outside of peak summer weekends. Localism is rated manageable for the area, but showing basic lineup respect goes a long way. Dawn patrol in shoulder season is the cleaner play if you want breathing room.

Access & Facilities

Access involves a cliff walk and some rock scrambling depending on conditions, so watch your footing on the approach. The rocks themselves are a hazard in the water too. Ditch Plains is close by for food, parking, and surf shop options. Water quality runs clean overall.

Nearby Alternatives

When Poles is blown out or too small, Ditch Plains just to the east offers more forgiving beach break peaks that work across a wider size range. Montauk's south-side spots pick up more direct SE swell and can be worth a check when the wind direction changes.

10-day swell, wind and tide

Poles surf forecast

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Forecast by Windy.app

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Frequently asked

Before you paddle out

Poles is a mixed break suited for beginner to intermediate surfers. Confident beginners can give it a go on small days.
Poles
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