
Surf Forecasts:
Higgins Beach surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 11AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 10s period, SSE swell with 455 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 8s period. 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 1.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Higgins Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you—this next stretch is a long, quiet one. Higgins Beach is the only spot with any data, and for the first several days it’s pretty much a write-off. We’re looking at a gap of over a week of nothing but poor conditions before anything even starts to whisper “surfable.”
First up, Monday 20th July morning has a tiny 1 foot wave from the SSE, but the period is a weak 8 seconds and the wind is a light cross-off from the W. The combined energy is a measly 23 – that’s barely a ripple. Water temp is sitting at 63°, which is about normal for the time of year. But honestly, it’s poor surf. The whole week from Monday 20th through to Saturday 26th is a dead zone. The wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, the swell is small, and the period is all over the place, mostly under 8 seconds. There’s a brief moment on Thursday 23rd morning with a 5 foot swell from the SSE and 10-second period, and the wind is cross-off from the WSW, giving clean waves. The combined energy hits 455 (moderate), but it’s still rated as marginal. It’s not the best, but if you’re desperate, that’s your only real window that week.
Then we hit a bit of a lull again until Sunday 2nd August. That afternoon, things finally look up. A 5 foot swell from the SSE with a 7-second period, cross-off wind from the W at 6 mph, and light breeze. The combined energy is 254 (moderate). This is the standout. It’s the best on offer in the whole 16-day window. The waves are clean, the wind is light, and the size is solid for a point break or reef. Higgins Beach is an exposed spot, so the swell direction from the SSE is okay, but the optimum direction is SE, so it’s a little off. Still, it’s the only time you’ll get decent surf. The rest of the 16 days, especially into August, is nothing but small, chopped-up, or onshore junk.
So, the call is: wait for Sunday 2nd August afternoon. That’s your one true chance. The rest of the period is a long, flat, blown-out mess. Forecasts can change, but for now, keep your board waxed and your patience high.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Tue night. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | SSE 8 | SSE 4 | S 5 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | SE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
13 | 17 | 54 | 16 | 46 | 201 | 237 | 248 | 379 | 455 | 244 | 119 | 113 | 89 | 113 | 96 | 79 | 60 | 48 | 42 | 40 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:48PM2.88m | 5:14AM2.65m | 5:41PM2.80m | 6:13AM2.49m | 6:35PM2.74m | 7:14AM2.38m | 7:30PM2.69m | 8:14AM2.33m | 8:24PM2.69m | 9:10AM2.32m | 9:16PM2.72m | 10:01AM2.36m | 10:03PM2.77m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:28AM0.10m | 11:04PM0.21m | 11:20AM0.28m | 00:03AM0.29m | 12:14PM0.43m | 1:03AM0.34m | 1:10PM0.54m | 2:03AM0.35m | 2:06PM0.59m | 2:59AM0.33m | 2:59PM0.60m | 3:49AM0.29m | 3:47PM0.56m | 4:34AM0.23m | |||||||
5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | |
— | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:09 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 20 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SE 12 | SE 12 | SE 8 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 7 | SSE 9 | SSE 8 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 |
13 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 189 | 30 | 379 | 455 | 244 | 119 | 113 | 89 | 113 | 96 | 79 | 60 | 48 | 42 | 34 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | SE 12 | S 12 | SE 12 | S 11 | — | SE 11 | — | — | — | — | SSE 10 | S 9 | S 8 | — | — | — | — | — | SE 12 | — |
4 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 2 | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | 33 | 40 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 12 | SE 12 | — | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
6 | 6 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 4 | S 5 | SSE 4 | SSE 5 | SE 6 | SSE 7 | SSE 7 | — | WSW 3 | WSW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 4 | SSE 5 |
— | 17 | 54 | 16 | 46 | 201 | 237 | 248 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | 40 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 254 | 989 | 42 | 1335 | 1335 | 42 | 76 | 76 | 32 | 76 | 42 | 42 | 175 | 276 | 42 | 178 | 1128 | 42 | 175 | 1686 | 76 |
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.










