Maine
Conditions stay similar this week — check the hourly forecast at Willard Beach for the cleanest windows.
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Willard Beach, Maine. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Tue, Jun 30: 1–1ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Morning kicks off with 1ft on SSE swell at 9s. Expect 12mph S winds by the afternoon.
Wed, Jul 1: 1–2ft, 5s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2ft and poor - fair conditions with 11mph SSW winds.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor - Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2ft on SSE swell at 6s with light WSW winds. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Fri, Jul 3: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with gentle WNW breeze. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 13mph.
Sat, Jul 4: 2–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. Skip the dawn patrol — 1-2ft and poor early on. Things come together by the afternoon with 2ft at poor - fair.
Willard Beach is a charming small sandy beach break tucked into South Portland, Maine, facing southwest into Casco Bay. It picks up south to southwest swells that funnel through the bay, producing mellow, rolling waves best suited for beginners and longboarders looking to enjoy Maine's rugged coastal scenery. The spot is relatively uncrowded and offers a laid-back atmosphere, though surfable conditions require solid swell energy to overcome the bay's natural wave attenuation.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Willard Beach is 1ft with a 9.1s swell period. Wind is S at 8mph and conditions are rated Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Willard Beach is 1ft, produced by a 1.1ft SSE primary swell at 9s, a 0.6ft S 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 Willard Beach is Saturday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 2ft waves, a 9s swell period, and conditions rated Poor - Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Willard 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 Willard 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.
Willard Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Willard Beach is a charming small sandy beach break tucked into South Portland, Maine, facing southwest into Casco Bay. It picks up south to southwest swells that funnel through the bay, producing mellow, rolling waves best suited for beginners and longboarders looking to enjoy Maine's rugged coastal scenery. The spot is relatively uncrowded and offers a laid-back atmosphere, though surfable conditions require solid swell energy to overcome the bay's natural wave attenuation.
The prime season at Willard 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 Willard Beach include cold water, rocks at beach edges, limited swell exposure, strong seasonal currents, lobster pot buoys. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Willard 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. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
