New Hampshire
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Sun, May 10: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 13mph SSW winds.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with moderate WNW wind around 7mph. Expect the wind to bump up to around 13mph by PM.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Not the most exciting day — 1-2ft and poor conditions with light winds out of the NW.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light winds out of the ESE. Afternoon breeze fills in to 16mph.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 13mph SSE winds.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Hampton Beach is a accessible sandy beach break on New Hampshire's Atlantic coast that works best during fall and winter swells when northeastern storms push consistent waves toward the WNW-facing shore. The mellow, forgiving sand bottom makes this an ideal spot for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to practice their fundamentals in a relatively sheltered New England setting. While often crowded on good days due to its proximity to Boston and convenient beach access, Hampton offers reliable waves during seasonal swell events and maintains a welcoming local vibe.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Hampton Beach is 1-2ft with a 8.55s swell period. Wind is SSW at 15mph 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 Hampton Beach is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.6ft ESE primary swell at 9s, a 1ft SE secondary swell at 6s, a 0.3ft ESE tertiary swell at 13s, a 1.7ft SE 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 Hampton Beach is Friday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 2ft waves, a 8.65s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Hampton Beach works best with a NE swell and WNW 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 Hampton 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.
Hampton Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Hampton Beach is a accessible sandy beach break on New Hampshire's Atlantic coast that works best during fall and winter swells when northeastern storms push consistent waves toward the WNW-facing shore. The mellow, forgiving sand bottom makes this an ideal spot for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to practice their fundamentals in a relatively sheltered New England setting. While often crowded on good days due to its proximity to Boston and convenient beach access, Hampton offers reliable waves during seasonal swell events and maintains a welcoming local vibe.
The prime season at Hampton 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 Hampton Beach include rocks near jetties, strong shore break at high tide, cold water temperatures. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Hampton 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.
