Maine
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Old Orchard 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. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with light SE winds.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 1-2ft waves on SE swell at 9s and 7mph WNW winds.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Morning kicks off with 1-2ft on ESE swell at 8s.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on ESE swell at 7s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 14mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. 2-3ft waves to start the day on ESE swell at 10s.
7s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Old Orchard Beach is a wide, sandy stretch along the southern Maine coastline that picks up northeast and east swells funneling into Saco Bay. The beach break produces mellow, rolling waves that are forgiving enough for beginners, though fall nor'easters can pump up punchy, hollow sections worth chasing. Its proximity to Portland and the vacation town atmosphere means crowds can build in summer, but the long beach spreads surfers out nicely.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Old Orchard Beach is 1-2+ft with a 6.9s swell period. Wind is SE 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 Old Orchard Beach is 1-2+ft, 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 Old Orchard Beach is Thursday from 3 PM to 6 PM with 3ft waves, a 6.5s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Old Orchard Beach works best with a ESE 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 Old Orchard 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.
Old Orchard Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Old Orchard Beach is a wide, sandy stretch along the southern Maine coastline that picks up northeast and east swells funneling into Saco Bay. The beach break produces mellow, rolling waves that are forgiving enough for beginners, though fall nor'easters can pump up punchy, hollow sections worth chasing. Its proximity to Portland and the vacation town atmosphere means crowds can build in summer, but the long beach spreads surfers out nicely.
The prime season at Old Orchard 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 Old Orchard Beach include crowds in summer, cold water, rip currents, pier pilings, strong nor'easter currents. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Old Orchard 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.
