Maine
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: 3–4ft, 10s period, rated Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 3-4ft with 8mph from the SSW.
Sun, May 17: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 3-4ft waves on S swell at 6s with moderate SW wind around 10mph. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light SW winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Fair. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 6s and 9mph from the WSW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 15mph from the SW and dropping conditions to poor.
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
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.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Kettle Kove is 4-5ft with a 9.7s swell period. Wind is SSW at 9mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Kettle Kove is 4-5ft, 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 Kettle Kove is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 8.45s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
