Swell Intel

Kettle Kove Surf Forecast, Maine

Live

Maine

Kettle Kove surf spot

Current Conditions

Fair - Good
Wave Height
5-7ft
overhead
Swell Period
10.1s
Wind
7mph
SW / Gusts 12mph
Conditions
Fair - Good
Active Swells
Primary
4.3ft @ 10sSE
Wind Swell
0.9ft @ 3sSW

Kettle Kove 5-Day Forecast Summary

Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Kettle Kove, 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: 56ft, 10s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 6-7ft waves on SE swell at 10s with glassy conditions. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the S and dropping conditions to poor - fair.

Sun, May 17: 34ft, 9s period, rated Fair - Good. Early morning is your best window — 4-5ft waves on SSE swell at 7s with 10mph SW winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.

Mon, May 18: 12ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 8s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 11mph from the SSE and dropping conditions to poor.

Tue, May 19: 12ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light winds out of the SW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.

Wed, May 20: 23ft, 7s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 2-3ft waves on S swell at 6s and 9mph WSW winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 15mph.

Nearby Webcams

Daily Forecast

Try free
to unlock
Locked
Locked

See the full 16-day forecast — start your free trial

  • 16-day forecast with breaking wave heights
  • Alerts when this spot fires
  • Free for 7 days, then $0.10/day

Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.

Forecast Charts

Kettle Kove Surf Spot Guide

Break
Beach
Bottom
Sand
Level
Intermediate
Crowd
Light
Best Swell
E
Best Wind
W
Season
Fall

Kettle Kove is a tucked-away surf spot along the southern Maine coastline near Cape Elizabeth, facing nearly due west into Casco Bay with its westward-oriented transect catching swells that wrap around the surrounding headlands. The break works best on long-period SE to S swells that refract into the cove, producing punchy, workable waves over a sandy bottom. Maine's rugged and uncrowded surf scene means you'll often share the lineup with only a handful of dedicated cold-water locals, making this a rewarding find for those willing to endure the chilly North Atlantic waters.

Cold waterRocks at cove edgesStrong currentsLimited surf rescue servicesHypothermia risk

Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.

Kettle Kove Surf Forecast FAQ

What is the current surf forecast for Kettle Kove?

The current wave height at Kettle Kove is 5-7ft with a 10.1s swell period. Wind is SW at 7mph and conditions are rated Fair - Good. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.

What is the breaking wave height at Kettle Kove?

The current breaking wave height at Kettle Kove is 5-7ft, produced by a 4.3ft SE primary swell at 10s, a 0.9ft 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.

When is the best time to surf Kettle Kove?

Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Kettle Kove is Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 6ft waves, a 10.1s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.

What swell and wind direction work best at Kettle Kove?

Kettle Kove works best with a E swell and W winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.

What tide is best at Kettle Kove?

Tide plays a big role at Kettle Kove. 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.

What kind of wave is Kettle Kove and who is it for?

Kettle Kove is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Kettle Kove is a tucked-away surf spot along the southern Maine coastline near Cape Elizabeth, facing nearly due west into Casco Bay with its westward-oriented transect catching swells that wrap around the surrounding headlands. The break works best on long-period SE to S swells that refract into the cove, producing punchy, workable waves over a sandy bottom. Maine's rugged and uncrowded surf scene means you'll often share the lineup with only a handful of dedicated cold-water locals, making this a rewarding find for those willing to endure the chilly North Atlantic waters.

When is the best season to surf Kettle Kove?

The prime season at Kettle Kove 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.

Are there any hazards to know about at Kettle Kove?

Common hazards at Kettle Kove include cold water, rocks at cove edges, strong currents, limited surf rescue services, hypothermia risk. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.

How accurate is the Kettle Kove surf forecast?

Our Kettle Kove 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.