Maine
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Crescent Beach for the cleanest windows.
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.
Tue, Jun 30: 1–2ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on SE swell at 10s with calm winds. The SSE wind kicks in by afternoon — 10mph and poor by then.
Wed, Jul 1: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with gentle SW breeze.
Thu, Jul 2: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the W.
Fri, Jul 3: 1–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1ft and mostly poor with 7mph from the W. Expect the wind to bump up to around 12mph by PM.
Sat, Jul 4: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light WSW winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 14mph by PM.
Crescent Beach is a charming sandy break tucked along the southern Maine coastline near Cape Elizabeth, facing west-northwest into Saco Bay. The spot picks up long-period swells that wrap around the headlands, producing mellow, rolling waves best suited for beginners and longboarders looking to enjoy Maine's rugged coastal scenery. Fall delivers the most consistent surf as Atlantic storm systems push energy into the bay, and the sparse crowds make it a peaceful escape compared to more well-known New England breaks.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Crescent Beach is 1ft with a 9.2s swell period. Wind is SSE at 9mph 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 1ft, produced by a 1.2ft SE primary swell at 9s, a 0.8ft SSE 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 Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 6s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Crescent Beach works best with a SE 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 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 charming sandy break tucked along the southern Maine coastline near Cape Elizabeth, facing west-northwest into Saco Bay. The spot picks up long-period swells that wrap around the headlands, producing mellow, rolling waves best suited for beginners and longboarders looking to enjoy Maine's rugged coastal scenery. Fall delivers the most consistent surf as Atlantic storm systems push energy into the bay, and the sparse crowds make it a peaceful escape compared to more well-known New England breaks.
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, rip currents, rocks at beach edges, hypothermia risk, seasonal jellyfish. 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
