Massachusetts
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Nauset Beach, 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 - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on E swell at 10s with barely a breath of wind. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 13mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to poor.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 3-4ft on E swell at 9s with moderate SW wind around 9mph. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 14mph from the SSW and dropping conditions to poor.
Mon, May 18: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with 7mph from the E.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 3s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with moderate SW wind around 11mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 16mph by PM.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and poor conditions with strong SW wind at 13mph. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 18mph.
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Nauset Beach is a classic Cape Cod surf destination located along the Atlantic-facing outer shore of Orleans, Massachusetts, where the barrier beach stretches for miles and catches open-ocean swells rolling in from the North Atlantic. The break produces punchy, powerful beach break waves that can range from fun and mellow to surprisingly hollow, especially during fall nor'easters and hurricane swells that light up this east-facing stretch of coastline. Its remote, expansive shoreline and consistent exposure to northeastern swell energy make it one of the premier surf spots in Massachusetts, offering a raw and scenic experience unlike anywhere else on the Cape.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Nauset Beach is 2-3ft with a 9.65s swell period. Wind is WSW at 10mph and conditions are rated Poor - Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Nauset Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.5ft E primary swell at 10s, a 0.5ft 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 Nauset Beach is Sunday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 4ft waves, a 4.05s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Nauset Beach 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 Nauset 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.
Nauset Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Nauset Beach is a classic Cape Cod surf destination located along the Atlantic-facing outer shore of Orleans, Massachusetts, where the barrier beach stretches for miles and catches open-ocean swells rolling in from the North Atlantic. The break produces punchy, powerful beach break waves that can range from fun and mellow to surprisingly hollow, especially during fall nor'easters and hurricane swells that light up this east-facing stretch of coastline. Its remote, expansive shoreline and consistent exposure to northeastern swell energy make it one of the premier surf spots in Massachusetts, offering a raw and scenic experience unlike anywhere else on the Cape.
The prime season at Nauset 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 Nauset Beach include strong currents, rip currents, sharks, cold water, shifting sandbars, strong onshore winds. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Nauset 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.
