Massachusetts
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Harding Beach, 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: flat–flatft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Pretty quiet out there — Flat and mostly very poor with 12mph SW winds.
Mon, May 11: flat–flatft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — 0-1ft and very poor conditions with light winds out of the NW.
Tue, May 12: flat–flatft, 8s period, rated Very Poor. Not the most exciting day — Flat and very poor conditions with 8mph from the NNW.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with moderate SW wind around 8mph. Afternoon breeze fills in to 15mph.
Thu, May 14: flat–flatft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — Flat waves and poor conditions with strong SSE wind at 16mph.
7s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Harding Beach is a scenic sandy stretch located in Chatham, Massachusetts, on the elbow of Cape Cod, facing nearly due north into Nantucket Sound. The break here is typically gentle and rolling, as the sound buffers large open-ocean swells, making it best suited for beginners and longboarders looking for mellow, forgiving waves. Fall months bring the most consistent rideable surf as nor'easters push energy into the sound, giving this sheltered spot its best windows of action.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Harding Beach is Flat with a 8.2s swell period. Wind is SSW at 11mph and conditions are rated Very Poor. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Harding Beach is Flat, produced by a 2.1ft ESE primary swell at 8s, a 0.2ft E secondary swell at 13s, a 1.1ft SSW 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 Harding Beach is Friday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 2ft waves, a 8.4s swell period, and conditions rated Poor. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Harding Beach works best with a S swell and S 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 Harding 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.
Harding Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Harding Beach is a scenic sandy stretch located in Chatham, Massachusetts, on the elbow of Cape Cod, facing nearly due north into Nantucket Sound. The break here is typically gentle and rolling, as the sound buffers large open-ocean swells, making it best suited for beginners and longboarders looking for mellow, forgiving waves. Fall months bring the most consistent rideable surf as nor'easters push energy into the sound, giving this sheltered spot its best windows of action.
The prime season at Harding 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 Harding Beach include strong currents, tidal shifts, cold water, rip currents, swimmers in summer. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Harding 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.
