Maine
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Old Orchard 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: 3–4ft, 10s period, rated Fair. Expect 3-4ft all day on ESE swell at 10s with 9mph WSW winds — nothing amazing but surfable.
Sun, May 17: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with moderate WSW wind around 8mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 14mph by PM.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with calm winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 11mph.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 4s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 8mph SW winds.
Wed, May 20: 0–1ft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with moderate WSW wind around 9mph.
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Old Orchard Beach is a wide, sandy stretch along the southern Maine coastline that picks up northeast and east swells funneling into Saco Bay. The beach break produces mellow, rolling waves that are forgiving enough for beginners, though fall nor'easters can pump up punchy, hollow sections worth chasing. Its proximity to Portland and the vacation town atmosphere means crowds can build in summer, but the long beach spreads surfers out nicely.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Old Orchard Beach is 3-4ft with a 9.7s swell period. Wind is SW at 8mph 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 Old Orchard Beach is 3-4ft, produced by a 3.9ft ESE primary swell at 10s, a 1.2ft SSW wind swell swell at 3s. 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 Old Orchard Beach is Saturday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 4ft waves, a 9.35s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Old Orchard Beach works best with a ESE 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 Old Orchard 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.
Old Orchard Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Old Orchard Beach is a wide, sandy stretch along the southern Maine coastline that picks up northeast and east swells funneling into Saco Bay. The beach break produces mellow, rolling waves that are forgiving enough for beginners, though fall nor'easters can pump up punchy, hollow sections worth chasing. Its proximity to Portland and the vacation town atmosphere means crowds can build in summer, but the long beach spreads surfers out nicely.
The prime season at Old Orchard 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 Old Orchard Beach include crowds in summer, cold water, rip currents, pier pilings, strong nor'easter currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Old Orchard 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.
