Massachusetts
Expect 1-2ft waves early on SE swell at 6s.
Expect 1-2ft waves early on SE swell at 6s.
Best window·Friday 11AM–2PM·2-3+ft·Fair - Good
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Expect 1-2ft waves early on SE swell at 4s.
Fri, Sep 4: 2–3+ft, 6s period, rated Fair. Afternoon is the play — morning is only fair at 2-3+ft. Afternoon shapes up better with 2-3ft and fair conditions.
Sat, Sep 5: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on E swell at 7s with strong NNE wind at 14mph. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 19mph from the NNE and dropping conditions to very poor.
Sun, Sep 6: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 3-4ft and very poor conditions with strong N wind at 26mph.
Mon, Sep 7: 2–3+ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. Expect 2-3+ft waves early on ENE swell at 10s.
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 Cod turns Good.
Check Cape Cod from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 1-2ft with a 3.9s swell period. Wind is S at 8mph. 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 Cod is 1-2ft, produced by a 3.1ft SSE wind swell swell at 4s, a 1.9ft SE secondary swell at 9s. 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 Friday from 11 AM to 2 PM with 3ft waves, a 6.4s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - 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. 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).
