Massachusetts
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 6–7ft, 10s period, rated Fair - Good. Dawn patrol is the move — 6-7ft on E swell at 10s with calm winds. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 15mph and poor - fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on E swell at 9s with moderate SW wind around 10mph. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 15mph and poor by then.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly poor with 7mph from the E.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with moderate SW wind around 11mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 16mph.
Wed, May 20: flat–flatft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — Flat and very poor conditions with 13mph SW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 18mph.
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Cape Cod offers accessible beach breaks along its iconic sandy shores, with consistent peaks forming across the exposed beaches facing east into the Atlantic. The spot works best during autumn when Atlantic swells wrap around the cape and offshore west winds groom the faces, providing fun, forgiving waves perfect for building your skills. The shallow, sandy bottom and gradual beach break make this a welcoming destination for surfers of all levels.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cape Cod is 5-7ft with a 9.65s swell period. Wind is WSW at 11mph and conditions are rated Very Good. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Cape Cod is 5-7ft, produced by a 2.5ft E primary swell at 10s, a 0.5ft W wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Cod is Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 7ft waves, a 9.65s swell period, and conditions rated Very Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cape Cod works best with a E swell and W 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 Cod. 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 Cod is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Cape Cod offers accessible beach breaks along its iconic sandy shores, with consistent peaks forming across the exposed beaches facing east into the Atlantic. The spot works best during autumn when Atlantic swells wrap around the cape and offshore west winds groom the faces, providing fun, forgiving waves perfect for building your skills. The shallow, sandy bottom and gradual beach break make this a welcoming destination for surfers of all levels.
The prime season at Cape Cod 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 Cod include strong currents, cold water temperature, occasional rocks at certain breaks. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cape Cod 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
