Massachusetts
A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with glassy conditions.
A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with glassy conditions.
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Nahant for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Nahant, 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, 5s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with barely a breath of wind.
Fri, Sep 4: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with gentle NNW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 9mph.
Sat, Sep 5: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate N wind around 11mph.
Sun, Sep 6: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 1-2ft waves on ENE swell at 7s and 13mph N winds. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Mon, Sep 7: 1–2ft, 10s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 10mph NW winds.
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 Nahant turns Good.
Check Nahant from the lineup
Forecasts, surf alerts, and live conditions in the Swell Intel iPhone app.
Nahant is a rocky peninsula jutting into Massachusetts Bay north of Boston, offering a raw and exposed surf experience that lights up during northeast and east swells generated by Atlantic storms. The spot faces nearly due east at roughly 82 degrees, allowing it to capture open-ocean energy that wraps around the rocky shoreline and produces punchy, powerful waves over a hard rock bottom. Nahant is a true New England gem — cold, honest, and rewarding for surfers willing to suit up in thick rubber and navigate a rugged coastal setup.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Nahant is 0-1ft with a 3.9s swell period. Wind is S at 2mph. 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 Nahant is 0-1ft, produced by a 2ft ESE wind swell swell at 4s, a 1.5ft ESE secondary swell at 9s. 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 Nahant is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 9.7s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Nahant 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 Nahant. 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.
Nahant is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Nahant is a rocky peninsula jutting into Massachusetts Bay north of Boston, offering a raw and exposed surf experience that lights up during northeast and east swells generated by Atlantic storms. The spot faces nearly due east at roughly 82 degrees, allowing it to capture open-ocean energy that wraps around the rocky shoreline and produces punchy, powerful waves over a hard rock bottom. Nahant is a true New England gem — cold, honest, and rewarding for surfers willing to suit up in thick rubber and navigate a rugged coastal setup.
The prime season at Nahant 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 Nahant include rocks, cold water, strong currents, shore break, kelp, heavy wetsuits required. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Nahant 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).
