Maine
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Mother's 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: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor - Fair. Pretty quiet out there — 1-2ft and mostly poor - fair with 7mph from the SE.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on SE swell at 9s with light winds out of the WNW — nothing amazing but surfable. Expect the wind to bump up to around 12mph by PM.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Early morning is your best window — 2-3ft waves on ESE swell at 8s with light winds out of the NNW. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Dawn patrol is the move — 1-2ft on ESE swell at 7s with light winds out of the ENE. Wind fills in through the day, pushing up to 18mph from the S and dropping conditions to poor.
Thu, May 14: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Morning kicks off with 3-4ft on ESE swell at 10s.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Mother's Beach in Old Orchard Beach, Maine offers accessible beach breaks with sandy bottom conditions ideal for learning surfers. The northwest-facing beach receives best swell from northeastern Atlantic storms and autumn swells, providing consistent waist-to-shoulder-high waves during peak season. The gradual sandy bottom and mellow beach break character make this a welcoming spot for beginners looking to progress in Maine's northern New England waters.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Mother's Beach is 2-3ft with a 6.9s swell period. Wind is SSE at 8mph 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 Mother's Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 3.5ft SE primary swell at 7s, a 0.4ft SE secondary 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 Mother's Beach is Thursday from 5 PM to 8 PM with 3ft waves, a 6.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Mother's Beach works best with a SE swell and NW 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 Mother's 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.
Mother's Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Mother's Beach in Old Orchard Beach, Maine offers accessible beach breaks with sandy bottom conditions ideal for learning surfers. The northwest-facing beach receives best swell from northeastern Atlantic storms and autumn swells, providing consistent waist-to-shoulder-high waves during peak season. The gradual sandy bottom and mellow beach break character make this a welcoming spot for beginners looking to progress in Maine's northern New England waters.
The prime season at Mother's 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 Mother's Beach include cold water, seasonal storms, rip currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Mother's 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.
