Suffolk County, NY · Atlantic Ocean

Ditch Plains Beach

Ditch Plains Road, Montauk, NY 11954

The East Coast's most storied surf break — a long, consistent right point that made Montauk a surf town and still draws a dawn lineup from April through November. Lifeguarded swim area to one side, surfers to the other, food truck in the lot, and a cliffside trail into Rheinstein Park.

Stay 2 Charters & Tours 2

Today's Conditions

Great day for a beach walk.

High rip current risk · NWS alert active · 73°F water

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Partly sunny, with a high near 75. South wind around 16 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 17 to 25 mph.

Weather

75°F air — ideal beach weather
Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

73°F water — swimmable, refreshing

Safety

High rip current risk — nws: life-threatening rip currents likely
NWS alert active — rip current statement issued september 9 at 3:06am edt until september 10 at 8:00pm edt by nws upton ny

42 /100

18 Swim

73 Sunbathe

82 Walk

9 Fish

78 Photo

Best for walking today

Water level 0.6 ft above predicted

Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.

NOAA station 8510560 · Observed 0.80 ft · Predicted 0.23 ft

Rip Currents Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued September 9 at 3:06AM EDT until September 10 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Upton NY

NWS · In effect through Sep 10, 8:00 PM

Full NWS statement

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected and 4 to 7 ft surf. * WHERE...Kings (Brooklyn), Southwest Suffolk, Southeast Suffolk, Southern Queens and Southern Nassau Counties. * WHEN...From this evening through Thursday evening. * RIP CURRENT IMPACTS...Life-threatening rip currents are likely for all people entering the surf zone. Anyone visiting the beaches should stay out of the surf. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. * RIP CURRENT DETAILS...The rip current risk will be low this morning at the ocean beaches, but increasing to moderate through the afternoon and then high by late in the day as southerly winds and surf increase. * BEACH IMPACTS...Minor beach flooding is possible during the times of high tide this evening through Thursday.

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Atmosphere

Air Temp

75°F

Partly Sunny

Wind

16 mph

Rain

This Afternoon

UV Peak

7 High

High 12 PM–01 PM · burn in ~29m

Burn-free before 09 AM & after 04 PM

Tomorrow

77°F

Mostly Sunny

Water

Water Temp

73°F

Swimming weather

Next High Tide

8:22 PM

2.8 ft · in 1.1h

Wave Height

2.3 ft

3s · SSW swell

Rip Current Risk

Low in the AM, becoming high late

NWS SRF · OKX · NYZ081 · Issued Sep 9, 3:01 AM

Sun & Moon

Sunrise

6:22 AM

Sunset

7:08 PM

Moon · 5%

Waning Crescent

Spring tides — bigger range

Tides

Time	Type	Height
2:19 AM	Low	0.1 ft
7:53 AM	High	2.5 ft
2:32 PM	Low	0.2 ft
8:22 PM	High	2.8 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:06 AM	Low	0.0 ft
8:43 AM	High	2.7 ft
3:25 PM	Low	0.1 ft
9:08 PM	High	2.7 ft

Time	Type	Height
3:49 AM	Low	0.0 ft
9:30 AM	High	2.8 ft
4:14 PM	Low	0.1 ft
9:53 PM	High	2.6 ft

Time	Type	Height
4:29 AM	Low	0.1 ft
10:15 AM	High	2.9 ft
5:01 PM	Low	0.1 ft
10:37 PM	High	2.4 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:08 AM	Low	0.2 ft
11:01 AM	High	2.9 ft
5:48 PM	Low	0.2 ft
11:23 PM	High	2.2 ft

Time	Type	Height
5:48 AM	Low	0.4 ft
11:47 AM	High	2.8 ft
6:38 PM	Low	0.3 ft

Time	Type	Height
12:12 AM	High	2.1 ft
6:31 AM	Low	0.6 ft
12:37 PM	High	2.6 ft
7:32 PM	Low	0.5 ft

High/low predictions from NOAA station 8510560, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.

7-Day Beach Day Forecast

Today Sep 9

75°

Partly Sunny

Thu Sep 10

77°

Mostly Sunny

13%

Fri Sep 11

71°

Mostly Sunny

Sat Sep 12

71°

Mostly Sunny

Sun Sep 13

73°

Chance Rain Showers

54%

Mon Sep 14

74°

Mostly Sunny

Tue Sep 15

73°

Mostly Sunny

What to Bring Today

recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 7 — high
recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 16 mph wind
optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 73°F

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Best Fishing Times Today

Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.

Major

10:20 PM - 12:20 AM

Minor

4:10 AM - 5:10 AM

Major

10:40 AM - 12:40 PM

Minor

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Beach Info

Parking

Permit-only year-round. Town of East Hampton resident permits sold at the Montauk Playhouse annex; non-resident season $600. Non-resident monthly: May 15 – Jun 30 $250, July $300, Aug – Sept 15 $300. No drop-in daily parking — plan ahead or walk/bike in.

Dogs

No dogs on the beach 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., May 15 – Sept 15. Outside those hours, leashed. Dogs permitted 500+ ft from a paved road even during restricted hours.

Entry Fee

Access gated by parking permit in season; free on foot.

Address

Ditch Plains Road, Montauk, NY 11954

Amenities

lifeguardsrestroomsconcessions

Frequently Asked

Is it safe to swim at Ditch Plains Beach today?

Ditch Plains Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.

Is Ditch Plains Beach dog-friendly?

No dogs on the beach 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., May 15 – Sept 15. Outside those hours, leashed. Dogs permitted 500+ ft from a paved road even during restricted hours.

Is there an entry fee at Ditch Plains Beach?

Access gated by parking permit in season; free on foot.

Are there lifeguards at Ditch Plains Beach?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Ditch Plains Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Ditch Plains Beach?

Amenities at Ditch Plains Beach include lifeguards, restrooms, concessions.

When is the water warmest at Ditch Plains Beach?

Atlantic water temperatures peak in August. Northern beaches (ME, NH, MA) run cool — typically 60-68°F at the summer peak. Mid-Atlantic (NJ, DE, MD, VA) hits 74-76°F. The Carolinas and Florida Atlantic warm into the 80s and stay swimmable from May through October.

Where is Ditch Plains Beach located?

Ditch Plains Beach is in Suffolk County, NY, at Ditch Plains Road, Montauk, NY 11954.