Massachusetts
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at South 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, 9s period, rated Poor. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SSE swell at 9s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 14mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 3-4ft with moderate SW wind around 8mph. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning. Don't wait too long — the wind comes back up after lunch.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor conditions with 9mph E winds.
Tue, May 19: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 0-1ft and mostly very poor with moderate SW wind around 10mph. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
Wed, May 20: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 3-4ft waves and poor conditions with moderate SW wind around 12mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 17mph by PM.
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South Beach in Martha's Vineyard is a classic sandy beach break that offers forgiving waves perfect for learning surfers and those looking for a mellow session. The beach's north-northeast exposure captures Atlantic swells effectively during autumn months when consistent groundswell arrives, while the sandy bottom provides a soft landing for beginners. The accessible beach setup and reliable waves make it one of the most popular and crowded spots in the Massachusetts area.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at South Beach is 2-3ft with a 9.4s swell period. Wind is SW at 9mph 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 South Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.1ft SSE primary swell at 9s, a 0.3ft ENE secondary 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 South Beach is Sunday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 4ft waves, a 6.35s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
South Beach works best with a NE swell and SW 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 South 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.
South Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. South Beach in Martha's Vineyard is a classic sandy beach break that offers forgiving waves perfect for learning surfers and those looking for a mellow session. The beach's north-northeast exposure captures Atlantic swells effectively during autumn months when consistent groundswell arrives, while the sandy bottom provides a soft landing for beginners. The accessible beach setup and reliable waves make it one of the most popular and crowded spots in the Massachusetts area.
The prime season at South 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 South Beach include strong currents, crowded conditions, shallow water, swimmers. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our South 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.
