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: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with strong SW wind at 13mph.
Sun, May 17: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SE swell at 8s with moderate SW wind around 12mph. Swell fades as the day goes on, dropping to 0-1ft by PM.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on SE swell at 8s with 7mph from the E. Swell fades as the day goes on, dropping to Flat by PM.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Afternoon is the play — morning is only very poor at Flat. Surf builds nicely through the day to 1-2ft with poor conditions by the afternoon.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 4s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 13mph SW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 18mph.
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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 1-2ft with a 9.35s swell period. Wind is SW at 12mph 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 Harding Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 2ft E primary swell at 9s, a 1.2ft SW wind swell swell at 3s. 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 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 8.45s 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.
