Massachusetts
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Crane Beach, Massachusetts. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, Apr 12: 2–3ft, 10s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 2-3ft waves on E swell at 10s and gentle NE breeze.
Mon, Apr 13: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Fair. The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, strong SSW wind at 15mph, fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Tue, Apr 14: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the W.
Wed, Apr 15: 0–1ft, 9s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with 7mph from the SW. Afternoon breeze fills in to 13mph.
Thu, Apr 16: 1–2ft, 4s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 0-1ft waves and very poor conditions with 9mph ENE winds.
Rideable all day with 2-3ft waves on E swell at 10s and gentle NE breeze.
The sweet spot is around midday — 2-3ft waves, strong SSW wind at 15mph, fair conditions. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the W.
Crane Beach is a classic New England beach break located on Cape Ann's northeastern shore, offering consistent waves driven by Atlantic swells and nor'easters. The sandy bottom provides forgiving conditions suitable for developing surfers, with waves typically ranging from 2-6 feet during optimal conditions. This scenic break benefits from reliable fall swells while maintaining enough summer activity to make it a year-round destination for the regional surf community.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Crane Beach is 2-3ft with a 4.65s swell period. Wind is S at 17mph 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 Crane Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.4ft E primary swell at 9s, a 3.1ft SSE wind swell swell at 5s. 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 Crane Beach is Monday from 9 AM to 12 PM with 2ft waves, a 4.85s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Crane 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 Crane 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.
Crane Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Crane Beach is a classic New England beach break located on Cape Ann's northeastern shore, offering consistent waves driven by Atlantic swells and nor'easters. The sandy bottom provides forgiving conditions suitable for developing surfers, with waves typically ranging from 2-6 feet during optimal conditions. This scenic break benefits from reliable fall swells while maintaining enough summer activity to make it a year-round destination for the regional surf community.
The prime season at Crane 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 Crane Beach include cold water temperatures, rip currents, rocks at beach ends. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Crane 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.
