Surf Forecasts:
Higgins Beach surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, SE swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 18 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, SE swell with 145 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with SE 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 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Higgins Beach in the next 16 days are 1.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Higgins Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s keep it real – this is a tough run for Higgins Beach. For about a week and a half, there’s just nothing doing. The water is running about 64.8°, which is pretty normal for this time of year.
The one and only real highlight isn’t until Sunday, August 30th. That morning we’ll see a solid groundswell from the southeast, with wave faces getting up to about 6 feet. The energy is strong, hitting 1419, and the wind is blowing out of the north, giving us clean, offshore conditions. It’s still listed as marginal, but it’s the best option by a long shot. That afternoon the swell drops a little to around 5.6 feet, but the north wind holds, keeping it clean. With a period over 14 seconds, expect it to be a bit walled up on the beach, but there’s waves.
Then on Monday morning, August 31st, the wind goes flat calm from the southeast, and we get a tiny 2.3 foot swell with moderate energy (185). It’s glassy and surfable, but it’s pretty weak. Not the day to skip work for.
After that, from Tuesday, September 1st, it all goes flat and choppy again. Onshore breezes and tiny surf. For the whole outlook, your best bet is that Sunday the 30th. It’s not a dream, but it’s what we’ve got.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Wed night, min 16°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 12 | SE 12 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 11 | SSE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
12 | 41 | 125 | 62 | 65 | 51 | 82 | 43 | 39 | 42 | 43 | 42 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 23 | 14 | 24 | 22 | 42 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:05PM2.84m | 4:38AM2.55m | 4:55PM2.73m | 5:34AM2.39m | 5:49PM2.65m | 6:34AM2.29m | 6:46PM2.59m | 7:36AM2.24m | 7:45PM2.59m | 8:34AM2.26m | 8:41PM2.64m | 9:26AM2.33m | 9:31PM2.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:48AM0.23m | 10:26PM0.21m | 10:37AM0.40m | 11:22PM0.32m | 11:30AM0.54m | 00:22AM0.40m | 12:27PM0.64m | 1:23AM0.44m | 1:27PM0.67m | 2:22AM0.42m | 2:24PM0.64m | 3:15AM0.36m | 3:15PM0.57m | 4:00AM0.28m | |||||||
5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | |
— | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 9 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 21 | 25 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | SE 7 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | SSE 7 |
11 | 41 | 125 | 62 | 65 | 51 | 82 | 43 | 39 | 42 | 43 | 42 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 20 | 11 | 24 | 16 | 42 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 9 | SSE 6 | — | SE 9 | — | SE 8 | — | — | SSE 4 | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 14 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 13 | ESE 7 | SE 12 | ESE 4 | SE 12 | SSE 8 | E 7 |
12 | 6 | — | 13 | — | 11 | — | — | 3 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 17 | 16 | 10 | 23 | 4 | 21 | 22 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | ESE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 15 | S 15 | S 15 | — | S 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | ESE 12 | ESE 7 | ESE 12 | — | SE 11 | SE 11 |
3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 5 | 14 | — | 19 | 18 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | N 2 | — | SSE 2 | — | NE 3 | E 3 | ENE 2 | NNE 3 | N 3 | — | — | S 3 | — |
4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 245 | 254 | 42 | 79 | 439 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 439 | 2936 | 42 | 447 | 989 | 447 | 1188 | 264 | 42 | 79 | 42 | 42 |
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.











