Maine
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Popham 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: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Fair. Steady 2-3ft waves on offer on SSE swell at 7s — light S winds.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Consistent 2-3ft surf through the day on SE swell at 8s with 8mph from the NW.
Tue, May 12: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 7mph NNW winds.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Late morning into early afternoon looks best — 1-2ft with 7mph from the SSE. Early on is a little rough — give it until mid-morning to shape up.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Morning kicks off with 2-3ft on SSE swell at 7s.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Popham Beach is a stunning stretch of coastline on the mouth of the Kennebec River in Maine, offering mellow beach break waves that are welcoming to beginners and longboarders. Facing nearly due north toward the open waters of the Gulf of Maine, this spot picks up south swells that wrap around the shoreline, producing fun and forgiving rollers. The remote setting within Popham Beach State Park, combined with Maine's rugged natural beauty, makes this one of the more scenic and uncrowded surf destinations in New England.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Popham Beach is 2-3ft with a 6.85s swell period. Wind is SE at 6mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Popham Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 3.6ft SSE 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 Popham Beach is Monday from 10 AM to 1 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.2s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Popham Beach works best with a S swell and N 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 Popham 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.
Popham Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Popham Beach is a stunning stretch of coastline on the mouth of the Kennebec River in Maine, offering mellow beach break waves that are welcoming to beginners and longboarders. Facing nearly due north toward the open waters of the Gulf of Maine, this spot picks up south swells that wrap around the shoreline, producing fun and forgiving rollers. The remote setting within Popham Beach State Park, combined with Maine's rugged natural beauty, makes this one of the more scenic and uncrowded surf destinations in New England.
The prime season at Popham 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 Popham Beach include cold water, strong currents, river mouth current, rip currents, rocks near jetty, hypothermia risk. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Popham 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.
