New Hampshire
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 4–5ft, 10s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 4-5ft on E swell at 10s with barely a breath of wind. The SW wind kicks in by afternoon — 12mph and fair by then.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 9s with light winds out of the SW. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 17mph and poor by then.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with gentle ESE breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with 8mph SW winds.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with 10mph from the WSW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 16mph.
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Hampton Beach is a accessible sandy beach break on New Hampshire's Atlantic coast that works best during fall and winter swells when northeastern storms push consistent waves toward the WNW-facing shore. The mellow, forgiving sand bottom makes this an ideal spot for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to practice their fundamentals in a relatively sheltered New England setting. While often crowded on good days due to its proximity to Boston and convenient beach access, Hampton offers reliable waves during seasonal swell events and maintains a welcoming local vibe.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Hampton Beach is 4-5ft with a 10.05s swell period. Wind is WSW at 9mph 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 Hampton Beach is 4-5ft, produced by a 3.9ft E primary swell at 10s, a 0.8ft 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 Hampton Beach is Saturday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 5ft waves, a 9.6s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Hampton Beach works best with a NE swell and WNW 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 Hampton 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.
Hampton Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Hampton Beach is a accessible sandy beach break on New Hampshire's Atlantic coast that works best during fall and winter swells when northeastern storms push consistent waves toward the WNW-facing shore. The mellow, forgiving sand bottom makes this an ideal spot for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to practice their fundamentals in a relatively sheltered New England setting. While often crowded on good days due to its proximity to Boston and convenient beach access, Hampton offers reliable waves during seasonal swell events and maintains a welcoming local vibe.
The prime season at Hampton 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 Hampton Beach include rocks near jetties, strong shore break at high tide, cold water temperatures. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Hampton 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.
