Massachusetts
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Nahant, 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: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the SSE.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 9s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 1-2ft on ESE swell at 8s with moderate NW wind around 8mph. The W wind kicks in by afternoon — 14mph and poor by then.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Early morning is your best window — 1-2ft waves on E swell at 8s with 7mph from the NNW. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light winds out of the S. Expect the wind to bump up to around 15mph by PM.
Thu, May 14: 1–2ft, 6s period, rated Poor. 1-2ft waves to start the day on E swell at 11s.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Nahant is a rocky peninsula jutting into Massachusetts Bay north of Boston, offering a raw and exposed surf experience that lights up during northeast and east swells generated by Atlantic storms. The spot faces nearly due east at roughly 82 degrees, allowing it to capture open-ocean energy that wraps around the rocky shoreline and produces punchy, powerful waves over a hard rock bottom. Nahant is a true New England gem — cold, honest, and rewarding for surfers willing to suit up in thick rubber and navigate a rugged coastal setup.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Nahant is 1-2ft with a 8.7s swell period. Wind is SSE at 6mph 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 Nahant is 1-2ft, produced by a 1.5ft ESE primary swell at 6s, a 1.4ft E secondary swell at 9s, a 0.3ft E 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 Nahant is Friday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.9s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Nahant works best with a E 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 Nahant. 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.
Nahant is a reef with a rock bottom, suited to intermediate surfers. Nahant is a rocky peninsula jutting into Massachusetts Bay north of Boston, offering a raw and exposed surf experience that lights up during northeast and east swells generated by Atlantic storms. The spot faces nearly due east at roughly 82 degrees, allowing it to capture open-ocean energy that wraps around the rocky shoreline and produces punchy, powerful waves over a hard rock bottom. Nahant is a true New England gem — cold, honest, and rewarding for surfers willing to suit up in thick rubber and navigate a rugged coastal setup.
The prime season at Nahant 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 Nahant include rocks, cold water, strong currents, shore break, kelp, heavy wetsuits required. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Nahant 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.
