Massachusetts
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Harding 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 Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on E swell at 10s with barely a breath of wind. The SSW wind kicks in by afternoon — 16mph and poor by then.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on E swell at 9s with 12mph SW winds. Size drops off to 0-1ft by the afternoon.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with moderate E wind around 7mph.
Tue, May 19: flat–flatft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — Flat and very poor conditions with 11mph SW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 16mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 4s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor conditions with 13mph out of the SW. Expect the wind to bump up to around 18mph by PM.
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Harding Beach is a scenic sandy stretch located in Chatham, Massachusetts, on the elbow of Cape Cod, facing nearly due north into Nantucket Sound. The break here is typically gentle and rolling, as the sound buffers large open-ocean swells, making it best suited for beginners and longboarders looking for mellow, forgiving waves. Fall months bring the most consistent rideable surf as nor'easters push energy into the sound, giving this sheltered spot its best windows of action.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Harding Beach is 2-3ft with a 9.6s swell period. Wind is SW at 10mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Harding Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.2ft E primary swell at 10s, a 0.5ft WSW 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 Harding Beach is Sunday from 7 AM to 10 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.6s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Harding Beach works best with a S swell and S 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 Harding 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.
Harding Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Harding Beach is a scenic sandy stretch located in Chatham, Massachusetts, on the elbow of Cape Cod, facing nearly due north into Nantucket Sound. The break here is typically gentle and rolling, as the sound buffers large open-ocean swells, making it best suited for beginners and longboarders looking for mellow, forgiving waves. Fall months bring the most consistent rideable surf as nor'easters push energy into the sound, giving this sheltered spot its best windows of action.
The prime season at Harding 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 Harding Beach include strong currents, tidal shifts, cold water, rip currents, swimmers in summer. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Harding 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.
