
Surf Forecasts:
Higgins Beach surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 20 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 7s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, S swell with 222 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 20 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 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 (Sep 20) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 11s. 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 1.6m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.1m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Sun 20th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Higgins Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get this straight off the bat: the next week and a bit is gonna be a tough slog for surf at Higgins Beach. We’re looking at a whole lotta nothing – tiny, weak swell, and most of it just messy or too small to even bother with. You’d be fighting for scraps, and honestly, there’s no real push in the water.
That run from the 14th right through to the 23rd is gonna be a write-off. We’re talking ankle-biters mostly, with periods under 8 seconds, so no real power behind ‘em. There are a few clean windows – like Tuesday the 22nd afternoon and Friday morning the 27th when the wind goes offshore or cross-off and the surface cleans right up – but even then, the swell’s just too puny to get ya into anything decent. Combined energy is mostly weak, sitting in the low teens to maybe 90 at best, so the ocean’s just flat and bored. If you’re a beginner, you might get a few soft rollers, but it’s hardly worth Suiting up for.
Then, things change in a big way around Thursday the 24th. That’s when the ocean finally wakes up. We’ve got a solid pulse of swell that’s gonna put Higgins Beach under a lot of water – way too much, actually. The morning of the 24th sees the swell jumping to 7ft from the ESE with a period of 9 seconds, and the energy reading is a massive 1035 – that’s strong, powerful stuff. But here’s the rub: it’s just too big for this break. Higgins is exposed, and when it’s overhead-plus like that, it’s gonna be a closeout mess. The wind’s cross-shore and lumpy too, so Friday’s not much better either – still 7ft to 7ft, still too big, and the cross-chop’s gonna make it a washing machine. Only experts with a death wish and a love for heavy shorebreak should even think about paddling out on the 24th or 25th.
The swell backs down a touch on Saturday the 26th – morning sees 5ft, afternoon drops to 5ft – but it’s still cranking with a period of 11 seconds, and the energy is strong at 631 to 523. That’s still a solid, powerful swell, but it’s coming with rain and onshore winds in the arvo. The morning’s got a light cross-shore, but it’s still gonna be challenging, especially for anyone who’s not comfortable in proper overhead surf.
After that, it fades pretty quickly. By Sunday the 27th, we’re back down to 3ft, and the energy’s dropped to moderate. There’s a clean window on Sunday afternoon with a fresh cross-off breeze, but the swell’s on the way out. The following week looks pretty blah again – small, clean but tiny.
So, if you’re looking for the standout, it’s gotta be that Thursday the 24th morning. Despite the conditions being far from perfect, that’s the only time there’s real, serious power in the water. But honestly, it’s a caveat-filled pick – too big, lumpy cross-chop, and unless you’re a seasoned charger, you’re better off watching from the sand. If you’re not an expert, give it a miss and wait for the next swell that fits the break better.
Let’s be honest, Higgins is gonna be quiet for the next week and a half, then it’s gonna roar, but maybe too much. Don’t force it. The ocean’ll give us another chance soon enough.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 10°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Wed night, min 13°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | SE 9 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 9 | SSW 4 | S 4 | SSE 4 | ESE 7 | ESE 12 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | SE 8 | S 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
29 | 27 | 26 | 44 | 17 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 31 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | on | cross |
High Tide | 1:41AM2.94m | 1:56PM3.01m | 2:26AM2.78m | 2:38PM2.91m | 3:12AM2.62m | 3:21PM2.80m | 4:01AM2.46m | 4:09PM2.68m | 4:55AM2.33m | 5:03PM2.59m | 5:53AM2.25m | 6:01PM2.53m | |||||||
Low Tide | 7:44AM0.05m | 8:13PM-0.03m | 8:26AM0.21m | 8:59PM0.09m | 9:08AM0.37m | 9:47PM0.22m | 9:55AM0.51m | 10:40PM0.35m | 10:46AM0.63m | 11:37PM0.44m | 11:43AM0.70m | 00:39AM0.49m | |||||||
— | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
6:54 | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:44 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 20 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 4 | SE 9 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 8 | SSE 4 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
11 | 27 | 26 | 44 | 17 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 17 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 15 | 14 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SSE 4 | S 5 | E 15 | — | ESE 9 | SSE 7 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 7 | SSE 4 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 |
29 | 4 | 2 | 4 | — | 8 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 15 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | E 6 | SE 14 | — | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ENE 4 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | E 7 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | — | 7 | 7 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 4 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | NW 3 | NNW 3 | NNE 3 | NE 4 | SE 2 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | S 4 | — | ENE 3 | E 3 | NE 4 | NE 3 | — | — | — | S 3 | S 4 |
13 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 6 | — | 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | 2 | 31 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 260 | 416 | 355 | 42 | 566 | 559 | 560 | 560 | 1335 | 473 | 92 | 178 | 326 | 560 | 560 | 560 | 996 | 1341 | 848 |
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.










