Massachusetts
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Madaket, Massachusetts. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sat, May 16: 1–2ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 17mph.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. The sweet spot is around midday — 3-4ft waves, 11mph SW winds, poor - fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 13mph E winds.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 4s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and poor conditions with strong SW wind at 16mph. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 21mph.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 3-4ft and poor conditions with strong WSW wind at 22mph.
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
Madaket sits on the western tip of Nantucket in massachusetts, offering a raw and exposed stretch of sandy beach that picks up southwest and northwest swells with surprising consistency. The break benefits from its open Atlantic exposure and the funneling effect of Nantucket Sound, producing punchy, hollow peaks that reward surfers willing to make the trek out to this remote corner of the island. Fall is the prime season when hurricane swells and nor'easters deliver the most powerful and well-shaped waves, often with minimal crowds.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Madaket is 1-2ft with a 9.6s swell period. Wind is SW at 11mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Madaket is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.6ft SSE primary swell at 9s, a 1ft E secondary swell at 10s, a 0.6ft W 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 Madaket is Thursday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 3ft waves, a 6.3s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Madaket works best with a SW swell and NE 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 Madaket. 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.
Madaket is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Madaket sits on the western tip of Nantucket in massachusetts, offering a raw and exposed stretch of sandy beach that picks up southwest and northwest swells with surprising consistency. The break benefits from its open Atlantic exposure and the funneling effect of Nantucket Sound, producing punchy, hollow peaks that reward surfers willing to make the trek out to this remote corner of the island. Fall is the prime season when hurricane swells and nor'easters deliver the most powerful and well-shaped waves, often with minimal crowds.
The prime season at Madaket 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 Madaket include strong currents, rip currents, remote location, cold water, shifting sandbars, strong winds. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Madaket 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.
