Surf Forecasts:
Higgins Beach surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 6s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 8s period, SSE swell with 217 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 6s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Higgins Beach this week:
The surf forecast for Higgins Beach over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Higgins Beach in the next 16 days are 1.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 2s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Higgins Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about Higgins Beach. Straight up: the next week and a half is pretty much a write-off. We’ve got a long stretch of poor surf starting now and running through to the end of August and into early September. The wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, and the swell is tiny—mostly between 1ft and 4ft, but with crappy short-period junk. Combined wave energy is weak, mostly under 100 (52 to 217), so there’s just no punch. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
We finally see a glimmer of hope on Tuesday the 1st of September. The morning brings a clean offshore breeze from the NNW at 9 mph, and the swell is still small at 1ft, but the period jumps to 15 seconds—that’s a very long groundswell. Combined energy is still low at 86, but it’s clean. The crowd at Higgins Beach is often present, so expect company. That afternoon stays clean with a light cross-off breeze.
The real standout, though, looks like Thursday the 3rd of September. Thursday morning is glassy, with the wind from the east at just 3 mph, and the swell picks up to 5ft from the ESE at 8 seconds. Combined energy is a solid 361—moderate energy. The direction is a good match for the break’s optimum. This is the best on offer: clean, glassy conditions, and decent waist-to-chest high waves. It’s not huge, but it’ll be fun. The afternoon goes onshore, so get in early.
The previous day, Wednesday the 2nd of September, also has potential in the morning with glassy conditions and a 2ft swell from the SE at 12 seconds, but energy is low at 171. The afternoon sees a bigger 5ft swell but with cross-shore wind, so it’s messy.
After that, the weekend of the 5th and 6th of September offers some marginal surf with 4ft swell from the ESE, but the wind is cross-on and the energy is moderate (493 to 559). It’s not terrible, but it’s not clean. The following week drops back to tiny, poor conditions.
Overall, the best window is the morning of Thursday the 3rd of September. It’s the only true standout. Get it while it’s glassy.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon night, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 23°C on Fri night, min 15°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | ||||||||||||||
Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 11 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SSE 8 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
40 | 31 | 21 | 18 | 39 | 53 | 129 | 100 | 217 | 77 | 55 | 44 | 41 | 50 | 42 | 39 | 15 | 21 | 25 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 9:31PM2.71m | 10:11AM2.42m | 10:15PM2.80m | 10:50AM2.52m | 10:55PM2.87m | 11:26AM2.63m | 11:32PM2.93m | 11:59AM2.74m | 00:09AM2.96m | 12:32PM2.84m | 00:46AM2.96m | 1:07PM2.93m | 1:25AM2.94m | ||||||
Low Tide | 4:00AM0.28m | 4:00PM0.48m | 4:40AM0.20m | 4:41PM0.37m | 5:15AM0.12m | 5:19PM0.27m | 5:48AM0.06m | 5:56PM0.16m | 6:21AM0.02m | 6:34PM0.08m | 6:55AM-0.01m | 7:14PM0.01m | |||||||
— | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
7:30 | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 23 |
Feels °C | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 8 | — | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
40 | 31 | 21 | 18 | 39 | 53 | 129 | 100 | — | 55 | 55 | 42 | 41 | 50 | 42 | 39 | 15 | 11 | 25 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | S 5 | SE 10 | SSE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 5 | S 5 | SSE 7 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SSE 3 |
18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 5 | 25 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 4 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 8 | S 6 | — | S 5 | SE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 7 | — | SW 3 | S 7 | — | — |
6 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 4 | — | — | SSE 3 | — | — | SSE 8 | SSE 6 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | — | — | SSE 3 | — | NE 3 | SE 7 | — |
— | — | 7 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 217 | 77 | 48 | 44 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 21 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 42 | 79 | 42 | 92 | 79 | 306 | 42 | 92 | 1335 | 92 | 76 | 76 | 42 | 42 | 306 | 42 | 439 | 2814 | 2639 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Maine | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Higgins Beach Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Higgins Beach provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Higgins Beach can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Higgins Beach surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Higgins Beach) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Higgins Beach may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Higgins Beach is 9 km (6 miles) from South Portland Gardens. If you plan a vacation in Maine, look for hotels and other accommodation in South Portland Gardens. South Portland Gardens has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











