Maine
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Wells 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. A slow one — 2-3ft waves and poor - fair conditions with light winds out of the SE.
Mon, May 11: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Expect 2-3ft all day on SE swell at 8s with gentle WNW breeze — nothing amazing but surfable. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 12mph.
Tue, May 12: 2–3ft, 8s period, rated Fair. Rideable all day with 1-2ft waves on ESE swell at 8s and gentle NW breeze.
Wed, May 13: 1–2ft, 7s period, rated Poor. Slim pickings today — 1-2ft and poor with light ENE winds. Winds do pick up a bit by the afternoon to 18mph.
Thu, May 14: 3–4ft, 7s period, rated Poor. 3-4ft waves to start the day on ESE swell at 10s.
Free, simple, and takes 30 seconds.
Wells Beach is a accessible sandy beach break on Maine's southern coast that picks up swell from Atlantic nor'easters and occasional hurricane swells, offering forgiving peaks across a wide sandy bottom. The beach's orientation facing west-northwest means it works best with northeasterly swells that wrap around the coastline, creating mellow, rolling waves ideal for learning and progression. This family-friendly break benefits from consistent autumn storms and provides a mellow introduction to New England surfing with plenty of shoulder season options.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Wells Beach is 2-3ft with a 7.05s swell period. Wind is SE at 7mph 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 Wells Beach is 2-3ft, produced by a 2.8ft SE primary swell at 6s, a 1.8ft ESE secondary swell at 8s, a 0.3ft ESE 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 Wells Beach is Friday from 1 PM to 4 PM with 3ft waves, a 8.55s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Wells Beach 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 Wells 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.
Wells Beach is a beach with a sand bottom, suited to beginner surfers. Wells Beach is a accessible sandy beach break on Maine's southern coast that picks up swell from Atlantic nor'easters and occasional hurricane swells, offering forgiving peaks across a wide sandy bottom. The beach's orientation facing west-northwest means it works best with northeasterly swells that wrap around the coastline, creating mellow, rolling waves ideal for learning and progression. This family-friendly break benefits from consistent autumn storms and provides a mellow introduction to New England surfing with plenty of shoulder season options.
The prime season at Wells 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 Wells Beach include cold water, rip currents, seasonal icebergs in winter. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Wells 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.
