Maine
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Scarborough 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 Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 2-3ft and poor - fair conditions with 9mph from the SE.
Mon, May 11: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Fair - Good. Get out early for the best of it — 3-4ft waves on SE swell at 8s and light winds out of the NW. It gets a bit messier later in the day.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Steady 2-3ft waves on offer on SE swell at 8s — gentle NNW breeze.
Wed, May 13: 2–3ft, 7s period, rated Fair. First light looks cleanest — 2-3ft on SE swell at 7s with calm winds. Onshore flow builds through the day to 12mph, bringing conditions down to poor.
Thu, May 14: 4–5ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Morning kicks off with 3-4ft on ESE swell at 10s.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Scarborough Beach in Maine is a classic New England beach break that picks up south to southeast swells funneling into Saco Bay, producing mellow, rolling waves well-suited for beginners and longboarders. The spot faces NNW, meaning it is sheltered from direct open-ocean hammering but catches refracted swell energy that wraps into the bay, keeping conditions manageable even on bigger swell days. Fall is prime time here when hurricane-season groundswells combine with offshore winds and thinning crowds to deliver some of the best surf Maine has to offer.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Scarborough Beach is 2-3ft with a 6.8s swell period. Wind is SSE at 10mph 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 Scarborough Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 3.4ft 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 Scarborough Beach is Friday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 4ft waves, a 8.55s swell period, and conditions rated Fair - Good. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Scarborough Beach works best with a SE swell and NNW 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 Scarborough 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.
Scarborough Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Scarborough Beach in Maine is a classic New England beach break that picks up south to southeast swells funneling into Saco Bay, producing mellow, rolling waves well-suited for beginners and longboarders. The spot faces NNW, meaning it is sheltered from direct open-ocean hammering but catches refracted swell energy that wraps into the bay, keeping conditions manageable even on bigger swell days. Fall is prime time here when hurricane-season groundswells combine with offshore winds and thinning crowds to deliver some of the best surf Maine has to offer.
The prime season at Scarborough 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 Scarborough Beach include cold water, strong currents, rip currents, crowds in summer, hypothermia risk. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Scarborough 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.
