Maine
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Crescent Beach, Maine. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 10s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. 1-2ft waves to start the day on S swell at 7s. Swell builds, getting up to 4-5ft by PM. Expect 14mph W winds by the afternoon.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the N. Expect the wind to bump up to around 10mph by PM.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with 8mph SW winds.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with moderate WSW wind around 8mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 12mph by PM.
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Crescent Beach is a scenic sandy break located on the Midcoast Maine shoreline near Owls Head, facing WSW into Muscongus Bay and the Gulf of Maine. The spot picks up south to southeast swells that wrap into the crescent-shaped cove, producing mellow, rolling waves well-suited for beginners and longboarders. What makes this Maine gem unique is its raw, uncrowded nature — cold North Atlantic water, dramatic rocky headlands framing the beach, and the quiet beauty of the Maine coast combine for a surf experience far off the beaten path.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Crescent Beach is 1-2ft with a 9.65s swell period. Wind is WSW at 7mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Crescent Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.6ft SSE primary swell at 9s, a 1.2ft SE secondary swell at 10s, a 1ft SW 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 Crescent Beach is Sunday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 4ft waves, a 7.9s swell period, and conditions rated Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Crescent Beach works best with a E swell and WSW 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 Crescent 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.
Crescent Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Crescent Beach is a scenic sandy break located on the Midcoast Maine shoreline near Owls Head, facing WSW into Muscongus Bay and the Gulf of Maine. The spot picks up south to southeast swells that wrap into the crescent-shaped cove, producing mellow, rolling waves well-suited for beginners and longboarders. What makes this Maine gem unique is its raw, uncrowded nature — cold North Atlantic water, dramatic rocky headlands framing the beach, and the quiet beauty of the Maine coast combine for a surf experience far off the beaten path.
The prime season at Crescent 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 Crescent Beach include cold water, rocks at cove edges, strong rip currents, fog, hypothermia risk, lobster trap lines. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Crescent 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.
