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: 3–4ft, 10s period, rated Fair - Good. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 3-4ft with 10mph WSW winds.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Steady 2-3ft waves on offer on SSE swell at 6s — moderate WSW wind around 9mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 15mph.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with moderate SW wind around 8mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with moderate WSW wind around 10mph.
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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 4-5ft with a 9.7s swell period. Wind is WSW at 9mph and conditions are rated Fair - Good. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Crescent Beach is 4-5ft, produced by a 3.9ft ESE 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 Crescent Beach is Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 5ft waves, a 9.7s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. 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. See the forecast accuracy card above for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
