United States real buoys

United States wave buoys and sea conditions surf report and buoy data

This national hub brings together the newly integrated NOAA/NDBC references and broader model coverage. Use regional hubs such as California, Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest for a more local read. Start with the nearest recent reference, then check wind, tide and official marine information for the specific beach.

How to read this coverage

This page brings together surf, swell and wave conditions for United States wave buoys and sea conditions surf report and buoy data. SwellOracle separates real instrument observations from marine model points so you can understand what you are seeing before making a decision. Current coverage includes 203 recent observations and 3 model points; availability can vary by source and update time.

  • Check the timestamp and source before comparing readings.
  • Combine height, period and direction with your coastline orientation.
  • Use models as context, not as an automatic substitute for a real buoy.

Buoys people are searching for

These references connect searches already appearing in Google with their data pages while keeping the station name and source visible.

How to read United States buoy coverage

A national list is useful for discovery, but surf decisions should use the nearest station with compatible exposure and a recent reading.

Compare height, period, direction and timestamp, then apply local wind, tide, coastline orientation and official warnings.

Available coverage

203 recent observations 3 model points 2 reference stations

Latest regional observation:

Anacapa Passage Reference without a recent reading · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 34° 10' 12.0" N, 119° 25' 48.0" O · History not captured yet
Height4.2 ft (1.3 m)Period15 sDirectionWNWTemp.15.1 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Annapolis, MD Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 38° 57' 46.8" N, 76° 26' 52.8" O · History not captured yet
Height1 ft (0.3 m)Period4 sDirection—Temp.26.7 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Ashtabula Buoy Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 41° 54' 46.8" N, 80° 48' 25.2" O · History not captured yet
Height4.6 ft (1.4 m)Period5 sDirectionNNWTemp.24.2 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Baltimore Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 39° 13' 22.8" N, 76° 31' 40.8" O · History not captured yet
Height0.3 ft (0.1 m)Period—Direction—Temp.27.2 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Buffalo Buoy Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 42° 50' 49.2" N, 78° 54' 14.4" O · History not captured yet
Height1 ft (0.3 m)Period—DirectionWNWTemp.23.9 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Chicago Buoy Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 41° 53' 31.2" N, 87° 33' 46.8" O · History not captured yet
Height3.9 ft (1.2 m)Period6 sDirectionNNETemp.20 °CWind—
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CHR60WAVE Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 32° 32' 9.6" N, 79° 39' 32.4" O · History not captured yet
Height2.6 ft (0.8 m)Period4 sDirectionSWTemp.29.7 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Duck FRF, NC Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 36° 12' 0.0" N, 75° 42' 50.4" O · History not captured yet
Height2 ft (0.6 m)Period8 sDirectionESETemp.24.5 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Dunkirk Buoy Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 42° 33' 39.6" N, 79° 25' 55.2" O · History not captured yet
Height1.3 ft (0.4 m)Period5 sDirectionWNWTemp.0 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Euclid, OH Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 41° 37' 8.4" N, 81° 37' 1.2" O · History not captured yet
Height4.6 ft (1.4 m)Period5 sDirectionNNWTemp.23.8 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
FRP2WAVE Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 32° 16' 33.6" N, 80° 24' 21.6" O · History not captured yet
Height2.6 ft (0.8 m)Period4 sDirectionSTemp.31 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Georgian Bay Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 45° 32' 24.0" N, 81° 1' 12.0" O · History not captured yet
Height2 ft (0.6 m)Period3 sDirection—Temp.18 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Goleta Point Reference without a recent reading · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 34° 19' 48.0" N, 119° 48' 0.0" O · History not captured yet
Height2.8 ft (0.9 m)Period13 sDirectionWTemp.14.6 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Hawaii model Marine model · Source: Open-Meteo Marine · 21° 12' 0.0" N, 158° 12' 0.0" O · Model history pending
Height0 ft (0 m)Period—Direction—Temp.0 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Huron Buoy Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 41° 23' 34.8" N, 82° 30' 43.2" O · History not captured yet
Height3.3 ft (1 m)Period5 sDirectionNNWTemp.25.4 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Lake Nipissing Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 46° 13' 48.0" N, 79° 43' 12.0" O · History not captured yet
Height1.3 ft (0.4 m)Period2 sDirection—Temp.21.3 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Lake Simcoe Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 44° 30' 0.0" N, 79° 22' 12.0" O · History not captured yet
Height1.6 ft (0.5 m)Period3 sDirection—Temp.21.9 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Lake St Clair Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 42° 25' 48.0" N, 82° 40' 48.0" O · History not captured yet
Height1.3 ft (0.4 m)Period2 sDirection—Temp.23.8 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Middle Nomad Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 50° 55' 48.0" N, 136° 6' 0.0" O · History not captured yet
Height5.6 ft (1.7 m)Period7 sDirection—Temp.13.4 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
NOAA LJPC1 Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 32° 52' 1.2" N, 117° 15' 25.2" O · History not captured yet
Height3 ft (0.9 m)Period8 sDirection—Temp.0 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
NOAA SSBN7 Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 33° 50' 16.8" N, 78° 29' 2.4" O · History not captured yet
Height3.6 ft (1.1 m)Period4 sDirectionSSWTemp.29.6 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Ontonagon, MI Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 46° 54' 25.2" N, 89° 21' 14.4" O · History not captured yet
Height0 ft (0 m)Period—DirectionSSWTemp.18.6 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Port Colborne Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 42° 44' 24.0" N, 79° 17' 24.0" O · History not captured yet
Height1.3 ft (0.4 m)Period3 sDirection—Temp.23.3 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Port Stanley Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 42° 27' 36.0" N, 81° 13' 12.0" O · History not captured yet
Height3 ft (0.9 m)Period4 sDirection—Temp.21.7 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Potomac, MD Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 38° 1' 58.8" N, 76° 20' 6.0" O · History not captured yet
Height1.6 ft (0.5 m)Period3 sDirection—Temp.27.5 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Rocky River, OH Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 41° 31' 15.6" N, 81° 52' 48.0" O · History not captured yet
Height5.2 ft (1.6 m)Period5 sDirectionNNETemp.23.9 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Sheffield Buoy Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 41° 30' 28.8" N, 82° 6' 54.0" O · History not captured yet
Height4.3 ft (1.3 m)Period5 sDirectionNNETemp.24 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
Slate Island Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 48° 32' 24.0" N, 86° 57' 0.0" O · History not captured yet
Height0.3 ft (0.1 m)Period2 sDirection—Temp.6.5 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
South Nomad Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 48° 21' 36.0" N, 133° 56' 24.0" O · History not captured yet
Height6.2 ft (1.9 m)Period8 sDirection—Temp.13.9 °CWind—
View reading and chart →
York Spit, VA Observation · Source: NOAA/NDBC · 37° 12' 3.6" N, 76° 15' 57.6" O · History not captured yet
Height2 ft (0.6 m)Period17 sDirection—Temp.26.8 °CWind—
View reading and chart →

History is enabled gradually when reusable, correctly identified observations are available. Models and references without a stored series keep their own page, but do not show historical charts.

Buoy and history FAQs

What buoy information is available for United States wave buoys and sea conditions surf report and buoy data?

The published catalog includes 205 physical or reference stations and 3 model points for this region. Each source identifies its provider, location, data type and history status so observations are not mixed with estimates.

Why do some buoys have no historical charts?

Charts appear only when SwellOracle has a stored series of reusable, correctly identified observations. A station can keep its information page even when there is not yet a sufficient series for a chart.

What is the difference between a physical buoy and a marine model?

A physical buoy or station represents instrument measurements. A marine model estimates conditions at a grid point. Use observations as local confirmation and models as spatial context rather than treating them as equivalent sources.

How should swell height, period and direction be interpreted?

Read all three variables together: height describes the size of the signal, period helps explain its energy and direction shows where it comes from. Coastline shape, depth and local exposure can change what reaches the beach.

Keep tracking your buoys without missing a reading

Open the map, save your favorite buoys and get more context when you decide when to check conditions.

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Regional index

Browse all SwellOracle regional hubs.

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Practical takeaway

Operational buoys in United States are shown alongside model context, with both source types kept clearly separate.