Usually there are some waves. Heights depends on the wind direction, but usually below 6 feet. Gets deep quite soon.

Huge beach with a lot of space. Nice sand without shells or anything else. Maybe crowded in summer on the main beach, but you will find a place at the end of the parking lot.

Usually SW to NW.

Directions: (From 80/94) Exit I80/94 at Ripley St (51) just east of Gary (there's a large McDonalds on the right side north of the highway for some quick grub). Go North on Ripley and turn left on the main road. Ripley ends at this road in a T-intersection, so you have to turn. Now heading West, turn right, which is North, at the Marathon Gas Station (it's about 0.25 mile). There is a small Brown Park sign here...Hobart Rd. Hobart winds through the woods and over some rough tracks for a bit. You will come up to the second or third street and turn right, this is Grand Ave. It is a 3 way intersection into a four lane road (there is a stop sign here, too)...now going North on Grand you just keep driving until you enter Marquette Park in about 8 blocks. The Park drive is a one-way loop so you can't miss it. The best place to go is to the West-end of the beach, which is past the 'Miller Bathing Pavilion'. This pavilion looks like a miniature Soldier Field (Parthenon with columns) so you can't miss it. Immediately past this building is a forked drive to the right from the park loop. It veers off at about a 30 degree angle to the right, right in front of the Bathing Pavilion, so don't miss it. Take this road straight, which leads to a large parking lot beyond the bushes. This west area is away from the lifeguards and main people areas. (From I90/94 - skyway) leaving Chicago, take the skyway to the I65/Rte 12 exit in Indiana (the same exit as I65 to Indianapolis). After you pay the $0.15 toll and loop around, take the first right to Rte 12 East. Take Rte 12 East for about 2-3 miles (a few lights) to Lake Street and make a left (there is a McDonalds restaurant on the opposite right corner at this intersection). Lake Street winds through the town (don't speed - lots of cops!) and through some woodsy area for a bit. You will come up to a stop sign at Hemlock Ave. You will see the lake in front of you at this point. Make a right on Hemlock and follow it to the end. Make a left at the stoplight at the dead-end and you enter Marquette Park in about 1/2 a block. The Park drive is a one-way loop so you can't miss it. You will hit another stop light after 1/4 mile. Make another left into the parking areas at the beach. The best place to go is to the West-end of the beach, which is past the 'Miller Bathing Pavilion'. This pavilion looks like a miniature Soldier Field (Parthenon with columns) so you can't miss it. Immediately past this building is a forked drive to the right from the park loop. It veers off at about a 30 degree angle to the right, right in front of the Bathing Pavilion, so don't miss it. Take this road straight, which leads to a large parking lot beyond the bushes.