Maine
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Wells 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: 6–7ft, 10s period, rated Fair - Good. Get out early for the best of it — 6-7ft waves on ESE swell at 10s and barely a breath of wind. Onshore flow builds through the day to 7mph, bringing conditions down to fair.
Sun, May 17: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 3-4ft waves on S swell at 6s and gentle SSW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 14mph.
Mon, May 18: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with glassy conditions. Afternoon breeze fills in to 11mph.
Tue, May 19: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with 8mph from the SW.
Wed, May 20: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor with moderate WSW wind around 10mph.
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Wells Beach is a accessible sandy beach break on Maine's southern coast that picks up swell from Atlantic nor'easters and occasional hurricane swells, offering forgiving peaks across a wide sandy bottom. The beach's orientation facing west-northwest means it works best with northeasterly swells that wrap around the coastline, creating mellow, rolling waves ideal for learning and progression. This family-friendly break benefits from consistent autumn storms and provides a mellow introduction to New England surfing with plenty of shoulder season options.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Wells Beach is 5-7+ft with a 10.1s swell period. Wind is SW at 6mph and conditions are rated Fair - Good. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Wells Beach is 5-7+ft, produced by a 4.5ft ESE primary swell at 10s, a 0.9ft SW 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 Wells Beach is Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 7ft waves, a 10.1s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Wells 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 Wells 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.
Wells Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Wells Beach is a accessible sandy beach break on Maine's southern coast that picks up swell from Atlantic nor'easters and occasional hurricane swells, offering forgiving peaks across a wide sandy bottom. The beach's orientation facing west-northwest means it works best with northeasterly swells that wrap around the coastline, creating mellow, rolling waves ideal for learning and progression. This family-friendly break benefits from consistent autumn storms and provides a mellow introduction to New England surfing with plenty of shoulder season options.
The prime season at Wells 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 Wells Beach include cold water, rip currents, seasonal icebergs in winter. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Wells 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.
