Maine
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Crescent Beach, Maine. 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, 7s period, rated Fair. Steady 2-3ft waves on offer on SE swell at 6s — light winds out of the SE.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on SE swell at 8s with light WNW winds — nothing amazing but surfable. Afternoon breeze fills in to 12mph.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 1-2ft waves on ESE swell at 8s and gentle NW breeze.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on ESE swell at 7s with light winds out of the ENE. The S wind kicks in by afternoon — 18mph and poor by then.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 2-3ft with 14mph out of the SSE. Morning is a bit bumpy but things clean up by late morning.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Crescent Beach is a charming sandy break tucked along the southern Maine coastline near Cape Elizabeth, facing west-northwest into Saco Bay. The spot picks up long-period swells that wrap around the headlands, producing mellow, rolling waves best suited for beginners and longboarders looking to enjoy Maine's rugged coastal scenery. Fall delivers the most consistent surf as Atlantic storm systems push energy into the bay, and the sparse crowds make it a peaceful escape compared to more well-known New England breaks.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Crescent Beach is 2-3ft with a 7.05s swell period. Wind is SE at 7mph 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 Crescent Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.8ft SE primary swell at 6s, a 1.8ft 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 Crescent Beach is Friday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.7s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Crescent Beach works best with a SE 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 Crescent 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.
Crescent Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Crescent Beach is a charming sandy break tucked along the southern Maine coastline near Cape Elizabeth, facing west-northwest into Saco Bay. The spot picks up long-period swells that wrap around the headlands, producing mellow, rolling waves best suited for beginners and longboarders looking to enjoy Maine's rugged coastal scenery. Fall delivers the most consistent surf as Atlantic storm systems push energy into the bay, and the sparse crowds make it a peaceful escape compared to more well-known New England breaks.
The prime season at Crescent 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 Crescent Beach include cold water, rip currents, rocks at beach edges, hypothermia risk, seasonal jellyfish. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Crescent 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.
