Maine
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Long Sands for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Long Sands, Maine. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Tue, Jun 30: 0–1ft, 10s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with calm winds. Expect the wind to bump up to around 9mph by PM.
Wed, Jul 1: 1–1ft, 5s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1ft and mostly poor with gentle SSW breeze.
Thu, Jul 2: 1–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and poor with moderate W wind around 7mph.
Fri, Jul 3: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1ft and very poor with 8mph W winds.
Sat, Jul 4: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with light W winds. Afternoon breeze fills in to 14mph.
Long Sands is a wide, gently sloping sandy beach break in York, Maine, offering some of the most accessible surf in the state. Facing northwest toward the open Atlantic fetch, it picks up Northeast and East swells generated by Gulf of Maine storm systems, producing mellow, rolling waves ideal for beginners and longboarders. The beach's broad expanse and consistent sand bottom make it a welcoming entry point into Maine's cold-water surf scene, with fall delivering the best combo of swell energy and offshore winds.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Long Sands is 0-1ft with a 9.2s swell period. Wind is SSE at 10mph and 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 Long Sands is 0-1ft, produced by a 1.2ft SE primary swell at 9s, a 0.8ft SSE wind swell swell at 2s. 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 Long Sands is Wednesday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 1ft waves, a 4.95s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Long Sands works best with a SE swell and NW 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 Long Sands. 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.
Long Sands is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Long Sands is a wide, gently sloping sandy beach break in York, Maine, offering some of the most accessible surf in the state. Facing northwest toward the open Atlantic fetch, it picks up Northeast and East swells generated by Gulf of Maine storm systems, producing mellow, rolling waves ideal for beginners and longboarders. The beach's broad expanse and consistent sand bottom make it a welcoming entry point into Maine's cold-water surf scene, with fall delivering the best combo of swell energy and offshore winds.
The prime season at Long Sands 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 Long Sands include cold water, rip currents, crowds in summer, strong currents during storms, jellyfish. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Long Sands 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
