Maine
Expect 1-2ft waves early on SSE swell at 4s.
Expect 1-2ft waves early on SSE swell at 4s.
Best window·Thursday 5PM–8PM·2-3ft·Fair
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. 1-2ft waves to start the day on SSE swell at 4s.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on ESE swell at 6s with gentle W breeze. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 13mph from the S and dropping conditions to very poor.
Sat, Sep 5: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 1-2ft waves, 8mph NNE winds, poor - fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor - fair conditions with 11mph from the N.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 10s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor - fair conditions with light winds out of the NW.
Two days at a glance. Swipe for later hours.Five days at a glance. Drag for later hours.
Very Poor today — get one free email when Higgins Beach turns Good.
Check Higgins Beach from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 1-2ft with a 4.6s swell period. Wind is SSE at 10mph. Conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Higgins Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 2.4ft SSE wind swell swell at 5s, a 1.3ft SE secondary swell at 9s. 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 Thursday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 2ft waves, a 5.2s 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. We also verify our offshore swell predictions against NOAA buoy measurements daily — see our accuracy page for those swell-verification metrics (buoys measure open-water swell, not breaking surf size).
