Massachusetts
Expect 0-1ft waves early on SE swell at 4s.
Expect 0-1ft waves early on SE swell at 4s.
Best window·Sunday 5PM–8PM·2-3+ft·Fair - Good
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Thu, Sep 3: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Expect 1-2ft waves early on SE swell at 4s.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on E swell at 6s and light winds out of the N. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to very poor.
Sat, Sep 5: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 18mph out of the NNE.
Sun, Sep 6: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Morning kicks off with 1-2ft on NE swell at 7s.
Mon, Sep 7: 2–3ft, 10s period, rated Fair - Good. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on ENE swell at 10s with 12mph from the NW. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when Cape Ann turns Good.
Check Cape Ann from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Cape Ann in Massachusetts is a rugged granite headland north of Boston that picks up powerful nor'easter swells funneling down from the Gulf of Maine, producing punchy, hollow waves along its rocky points and coves. The NNW-facing exposure means it lights up when northeast storms push energy down the coast, with waves that can range from fun chest-high peaks to heaving overhead sets during prime fall and winter swells. The dramatic New England scenery and consistent swell exposure make it a favorite among dedicated Massachusetts surfers willing to brave the cold North Atlantic waters.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cape Ann is 0-1ft with a 3.9s swell period. Wind is SSW at 2mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Cape Ann is 0-1ft, produced by a 2.4ft SE wind swell swell at 4s, a 1.6ft ESE secondary swell at 9s, a 1.5ft SSW wind swell swell at 3s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Cape Ann is Sunday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 3ft waves, a 7.6s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cape Ann works best with a NE swell and SSE winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Cape Ann. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Cape Ann is a point with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Cape Ann in Massachusetts is a rugged granite headland north of Boston that picks up powerful nor'easter swells funneling down from the Gulf of Maine, producing punchy, hollow waves along its rocky points and coves. The NNW-facing exposure means it lights up when northeast storms push energy down the coast, with waves that can range from fun chest-high peaks to heaving overhead sets during prime fall and winter swells. The dramatic New England scenery and consistent swell exposure make it a favorite among dedicated Massachusetts surfers willing to brave the cold North Atlantic waters.
The prime season at Cape Ann is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Cape Ann include rocks, cold water, strong currents, kelp, sea urchins, localism. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cape Ann forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable; extended forecasts show general trends. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
