Massachusetts
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at South Beach, 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: 3–4ft, 8s period, rated Poor - Fair. Not the most exciting day — 3-4ft and poor - fair conditions with 12mph SSW winds.
Mon, May 11: 1–2ft, 8s period, rated Poor. Get out early for the best of it — 2-3ft waves on S swell at 8s and 11mph from the NNW. Things get a bit scrappier as the day goes on.
Tue, May 12: 0–1ft, 7s period, rated Very Poor. A slow one — 1-2ft waves and poor conditions with 12mph N winds.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 4s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 0-1ft and very poor with 9mph from the SW. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 16mph.
Thu, May 14: 2–3ft, 6s period, rated Poor. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor conditions with strong SSE wind at 19mph.
6s period — conditions are improving beyond your forecast
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
South Beach in Martha's Vineyard is a classic sandy beach break that offers forgiving waves perfect for learning surfers and those looking for a mellow session. The beach's north-northeast exposure captures Atlantic swells effectively during autumn months when consistent groundswell arrives, while the sandy bottom provides a soft landing for beginners. The accessible beach setup and reliable waves make it one of the most popular and crowded spots in the Massachusetts area.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at South Beach is 3-4ft with a 8.25s swell period. Wind is SSW at 12mph 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 South Beach is 3-4ft, produced by a 3.4ft S primary swell at 8s. 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 South Beach is Monday from 6 AM to 9 AM with 2ft waves, a 7.8s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
South Beach works best with a NE swell and SW 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 South 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.
South Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. South Beach in Martha's Vineyard is a classic sandy beach break that offers forgiving waves perfect for learning surfers and those looking for a mellow session. The beach's north-northeast exposure captures Atlantic swells effectively during autumn months when consistent groundswell arrives, while the sandy bottom provides a soft landing for beginners. The accessible beach setup and reliable waves make it one of the most popular and crowded spots in the Massachusetts area.
The prime season at South 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 South Beach include strong currents, crowded conditions, shallow water, swimmers. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our South 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.
