
Surf Forecasts:
Higgins Beach surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period, SSE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, SSE swell with 520 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s 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 Sunday (Jul 19) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Higgins Beach in the next 16 days are 1.8m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 6ft (1.8m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Higgins Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is a tough one, folks. Rusty here.
Look, I’m gonna be straight with you: this 16-day stretch for Higgins Beach is a real bummer. We’ve got a long, long gap of nothing but poor surf conditions and tiny waves stretching from now, right through the first week. The first real shot at anything surfable doesn’t come until Sunday the 19th, and even then, it’s a slim pickin’s situation. There’s a gap of several days with no real recommendations before we even get to that.
The only time I’d even consider paddling out is Sunday morning, July 19th. We’ve got a clean 3 ft swell from the SSE, and the wind is offshore from the NNW at 12 mph. That offshore wind is a major positive, it’ll clean up the faces nicely. The swell period is a short 6 seconds though, so it’s not going to have much punch. The combined wave energy is weak (69). It’s a small, clean wave for a longboard or a funboard, nothing to get excited about, but it’s the only window where the wind and waves line up. The crowds are *often* here, so expect company.
The water temp is 66°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
After that, it’s back to the waiting game. The wind swings onshore and the swell stays small and weak. Wednesday afternoon, July 22nd, shows a bump in size to 6 ft from the SSE, but the wind is a light cross-shore, and the conditions are described as marginal. The combined energy ramps up to moderate (400), but the quality just isn’t there with that short period and messy wind.
For the rest of the run into the first week of August, it’s the same story: small, weak, and blown out. There’s nothing here that qualifies as a stand-out. It’s a tough outlook for Higgins this time.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 24mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
PM | 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) | SE 14 | SE 14 | S 4 | S 6 | S 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | SSE 4 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SE 5 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
8 | 8 | 7 | 169 | 388 | 59 | 36 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 70 | 17 | 42 | 74 | 216 | 400 | 349 | 188 | 184 | 163 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | off | off | off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:14PM3.01m | 2:28AM3.20m | 3:06PM2.99m | 3:22AM3.03m | 3:57PM2.94m | 4:17AM2.83m | 4:48PM2.88m | 5:14AM2.65m | 5:41PM2.80m | 6:13AM2.49m | 6:35PM2.74m | 7:14AM2.38m | 7:30PM2.69m | |||||||
Low Tide | 8:14PM-0.03m | 8:47AM-0.22m | 9:09PM0.03m | 9:38AM-0.07m | 10:06PM0.12m | 10:28AM0.10m | 11:04PM0.21m | 11:20AM0.28m | 00:03AM0.29m | 12:14PM0.43m | 1:03AM0.34m | 1:10PM0.54m | 2:03AM0.35m | |||||||
— | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | |
8:17 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 2 | 2 | 6 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 21 | 26 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 23 | 22 | 17 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | S 3 | SSE 4 | SE 13 | S 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SE 7 | SE 12 | SSE 9 | S 7 | SE 8 | SE 5 | SE 11 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 8 | SSE 8 | SE 8 |
2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 277 | 59 | 36 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 74 | 5 | 400 | 349 | 188 | 184 | 163 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 6 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 8 | SE 11 | SE 8 | — | — | — | W 3 | — | SSE 8 |
8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 53 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | — | — | S 13 | — | SE 12 | SE 12 | — | S 12 | SE 12 | S 12 | SE 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | 6 | 6 | — | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 2 | — | S 4 | S 6 | S 7 | NW 3 | WNW 2 | WNW 2 | — | SSE 4 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | — | SSE 7 | — | WNW 3 | — | — | — |
1 | — | 5 | 169 | 388 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | 13 | 70 | 17 | 42 | — | 216 | — | 1 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 439 | 447 | 848 | 514 | 536 | 42 | 264 | 264 | 254 | 276 | 79 | 1783 | 1335 | 92 | 276 | 42 | 32 | 32 | 42 | 32 |
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.










