Massachusetts
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Crane Beach, 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: 2–3ft, 10s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on E swell at 10s with glassy conditions — nothing amazing but surfable. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, moderate WSW wind around 11mph, fair conditions. It's a bit wonky first thing but settles down.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light winds out of the ESE. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with 9mph SW winds.
Wed, May 20: flat–flatft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with 9mph from the WSW.
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Crane Beach is a classic New England beach break located on Cape Ann's northeastern shore, offering consistent waves driven by Atlantic swells and nor'easters. The sandy bottom provides forgiving conditions suitable for developing surfers, with waves typically ranging from 2-6 feet during optimal conditions. This scenic break benefits from reliable fall swells while maintaining enough summer activity to make it a year-round destination for the regional surf community.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Crane Beach is 2-3ft with a 10s swell period. Wind is WSW at 10mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Crane Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 3.7ft E primary swell at 10s. 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 Crane Beach is Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 3ft waves, a 9.8s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Crane Beach works best with a NE swell and SW 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 Crane Beach. 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.
Crane Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Crane Beach is a classic New England beach break located on Cape Ann's northeastern shore, offering consistent waves driven by Atlantic swells and nor'easters. The sandy bottom provides forgiving conditions suitable for developing surfers, with waves typically ranging from 2-6 feet during optimal conditions. This scenic break benefits from reliable fall swells while maintaining enough summer activity to make it a year-round destination for the regional surf community.
The prime season at Crane Beach 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 Crane Beach include cold water temperatures, rip currents, rocks at beach ends. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Crane Beach 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.
