Ditch Plains

Ditch Plains stands as one of Long Island’s most dependable reef setups, where shifting peaks break over a mix of rock and sand. The wave is known for its soft, shapely A-frames—a forgiving, mushy left that offers a workable wall and surprisingly long rides, making it a go-to for longboarders. For those seeking a bit more juice, occasional steeper rights and faster lefts appear further east, adding variety to the lineup. While it rarely delivers epic power, Ditch Plains is a reliable bet for surf, often serving up clean, fun waves when conditions align.

Best Surf Season (September - November)

Ditch Plains is a south-southeast-facing corner of Montauk, and that makes it a fall gem. As the Atlantic hurricane season peaks, the long-period S/SSW/SE swell that often misses other spots lines up directly with the beach. September sees the highest average wave period of the year (7.7s), while water temperatures hover near 20°C and offshore NW wind windows appear behind cold fronts. October keeps the tropical swell alive, and November adds more power from early winter extratropical lows; the average surf height rises to 4.3ft (1.3m), and quality can be excellent between fronts. The main downside is that only 10-15% of hours have truly offshore wind, so you have to be ready when a front passes.