Maine
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Higgins 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 Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 3-4ft and poor - fair with 9mph from the SSW.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor - fair conditions with moderate SW wind around 10mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with calm winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with light winds out of the SW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 6s with 9mph from the WSW. Onshore flow builds through the day to 15mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
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Higgins Beach is a charming sandy break tucked along the southern Maine coastline near Scarborough, offering mellow rolling waves that are well-suited for beginners and longboarders. Facing nearly due north into Casco Bay, this spot picks up northeast and east swells that wrap around the headlands to produce fun, manageable surf. Maine's cold water and rugged coastal character give Higgins Beach a raw, uncrowded feel compared to more popular breaks further south, rewarding dedicated surfers willing to suit up in thick neoprene.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Higgins Beach is 3-4ft with a 9.7s swell period. Wind is SSW at 9mph 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 Higgins Beach is 3-4ft, produced by a 3.1ft ESE primary swell at 10s, a 1.7ft SSE secondary swell at 9s, a 1.2ft SSW wind swell swell at 4s. 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 Higgins Beach is Saturday from 12 PM to 3 PM with 3ft waves, a 9.55s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Higgins Beach works best with a E swell and N 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 Higgins 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.
Higgins Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Higgins Beach is a charming sandy break tucked along the southern Maine coastline near Scarborough, offering mellow rolling waves that are well-suited for beginners and longboarders. Facing nearly due north into Casco Bay, this spot picks up northeast and east swells that wrap around the headlands to produce fun, manageable surf. Maine's cold water and rugged coastal character give Higgins Beach a raw, uncrowded feel compared to more popular breaks further south, rewarding dedicated surfers willing to suit up in thick neoprene.
The prime season at Higgins 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 Higgins Beach include cold water, rip currents, rocks near edges, fog, boat traffic in casco bay. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Higgins 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.
