Massachusetts
Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate S wind around 11mph.
Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate S wind around 11mph.
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Madaket for the cleanest windows.
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.
Thu, Sep 3: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with moderate S wind around 11mph.
Fri, Sep 4: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 7mph from the NNW.
Sat, Sep 5: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with 18mph N winds.
Sun, Sep 6: 0–1ft, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with strong N wind at 26mph.
Mon, Sep 7: 0–1ft, 11s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with strong NNW wind at 16mph.
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 Madaket turns Good.
Check Madaket from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
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 0-1ft with a 3.9s swell period. Wind is S at 11mph. 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 Madaket is 0-1ft, produced by a 2.8ft S 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 Madaket is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 1ft waves, a 4.1s swell period, and conditions rated Very Poor. 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. 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).
