Maine
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Mother's Beach, 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: 4–5ft, 10s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 4-5ft waves on ESE swell at 10s and glassy conditions. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 8mph.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on SSE swell at 7s with light winds out of the SSW. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 14mph from the W and dropping conditions to fair.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with barely a breath of wind. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Tue, May 19: 2–3ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Expect 1-2ft waves early on SSE swell at 7s.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with 10mph from the WSW.
Takes 10 seconds with Google or Apple.
Mother's Beach in Old Orchard Beach, Maine offers accessible beach breaks with sandy bottom conditions ideal for learning surfers. The northwest-facing beach receives best swell from northeastern Atlantic storms and autumn swells, providing consistent waist-to-shoulder-high waves during peak season. The gradual sandy bottom and mellow beach break character make this a welcoming spot for beginners looking to progress in Maine's northern New England waters.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Mother's Beach is 4-5ft with a 10.05s swell period. Wind is SW at 6mph 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 Mother's Beach is 4-5ft, produced by a 4.7ft ESE primary swell at 10s. 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 Mother's Beach is Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 5ft waves, a 10.05s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Mother's Beach 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 Mother's Beach. 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.
Mother's Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Mother's Beach in Old Orchard Beach, Maine offers accessible beach breaks with sandy bottom conditions ideal for learning surfers. The northwest-facing beach receives best swell from northeastern Atlantic storms and autumn swells, providing consistent waist-to-shoulder-high waves during peak season. The gradual sandy bottom and mellow beach break character make this a welcoming spot for beginners looking to progress in Maine's northern New England waters.
The prime season at Mother's Beach 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 Mother's Beach include cold water, seasonal storms, rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Mother's Beach 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.
