Massachusetts
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 2–3ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor - fair conditions with light SSE winds.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Steady 2-3ft waves on offer on ESE swell at 8s — gentle WNW breeze.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 8s with gentle NW breeze. Onshore flow builds through the day to 11mph, bringing conditions down to poor - fair.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with gentle S breeze. Expect the wind to bump up to around 18mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 3–4ft, 6s period, rated Poor. Hold off if you can — morning starts out poor with 3-4ft waves. Wind drops off and the surface cleans up — poor - fair by afternoon.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Cape Ann in Massachusetts is a rugged granite headland north of Boston that picks up powerful nor'easter swells funneling down from the Gulf of Maine, producing punchy, hollow waves along its rocky points and coves. The NNW-facing exposure means it lights up when northeast storms push energy down the coast, with waves that can range from fun chest-high peaks to heaving overhead sets during prime fall and winter swells. The dramatic New England scenery and consistent swell exposure make it a favorite among dedicated Massachusetts surfers willing to brave the cold North Atlantic waters.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cape Ann is 2-3ft with a 8.45s swell period. Wind is SSE 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 Cape Ann is 2-3ft, produced by a 1.7ft SE primary swell at 6s, a 1.6ft ESE secondary swell at 8s, a 0.3ft ESE tertiary swell at 13s. 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 Cape Ann is Friday from 2 PM to 5 PM with 4ft waves, a 8.7s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cape Ann works best with a NE swell and SSE 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 Cape Ann. 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.
Cape Ann is a point with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Cape Ann in Massachusetts is a rugged granite headland north of Boston that picks up powerful nor'easter swells funneling down from the Gulf of Maine, producing punchy, hollow waves along its rocky points and coves. The NNW-facing exposure means it lights up when northeast storms push energy down the coast, with waves that can range from fun chest-high peaks to heaving overhead sets during prime fall and winter swells. The dramatic New England scenery and consistent swell exposure make it a favorite among dedicated Massachusetts surfers willing to brave the cold North Atlantic waters.
The prime season at Cape Ann 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 Cape Ann include rocks, cold water, strong currents, kelp, sea urchins, localism. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cape Ann 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.
