Surf Forecasts:
Higgins Beach surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, S swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, SE swell with 128 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period with S 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 Monday (Aug 24) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s is also forecast. 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 0.9m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Higgins Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down what’s coming up around here. Look, I’ll be honest with you – for a solid stretch, there’s next to nothing worth paddling out for. The first real quality window is more than a week away, so you’ll be twiddling your thumbs for a bit.
Right now and through the end of August, it’s small and chopped up. We’re talking tiny swell, mostly 1ft to 4ft, with short, weak periods. The wind is mostly side or sideshore, putting a nasty little bump on everything. There’s a brief moment on Saturday morning the 29th where it goes glassy early, with a 3ft SE swell and moderate energy (114), but it’s pretty ordinary – more of a float than a ride. That pattern holds through the start of the week, though we do see a change coming.
Monday the 31st morning goes dead flat calm, glassy, with a 1.0ft SE groundswell – the period jumps way up to a very long 18 seconds. The energy is moderate (117), but the size is tiny. It’ll be clean, but you’d be scratching for anything.
Then things start to build. Tuesday the 1st of September morning brings a clean, sideshore-offshore breeze and a 2ft SE swell with a 15-second period, energy at 158. Still small, but the shape will be there. By Wednesday the 2nd of September, we see the first real standout. The morning is glassy, with a 3ft SE swell and a 13-second period, and the energy jumps to 279. That’s a solid, clean day for a longboard or a fun shape – the offshore flow and glassy conditions are a huge plus.
Thursday the 3rd of September is the big one, the real highlight of the entire forecast. The morning brings a 6ft SE groundswell with a very long 16-second period, and the energy is a serious 2403 – that’s a lot of power in the water. The wind is glassy, with a slight offshore touch. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers only. A heads-up: at nearly 6ft, that’s not for beginners, and with that 16-second period, it’s going to want to break really straight at a beach break like Higgins Beach – shape could be tricky, and it might be better suited to a point or reef. But if you know where the sandbars are, this is the session to mark on your calendar. The afternoon gets a bit bumpy with a sideshore wind, so be on it early.
After that, Friday the 4th of September cleans up with offshore WNW winds in the morning, a 4ft SE swell at 12 seconds, and good energy (372). A solid follow-up day. The weekend after drops off into small, choppy junk again, and into the second week, conditions look poor with small swell and onshore winds.
So, the bottom line: the first nine days are mostly a dud. The standout window is from Wednesday the 2nd through Friday the 4th of September, with Thursday the 3rd being the pick of the bunch – just remember, that one’s for the experienced crew only at that size and period.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 6 | SE 7 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | S 6 | SE 8 | SSE 6 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
14 | 43 | 100 | 64 | 44 | 48 | 33 | 29 | 57 | 105 | 82 | 88 | 85 | 44 | 57 | 31 | 71 | 51 | 42 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:41PM2.64m | 9:26AM2.33m | 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 | ||||||
Low Tide | 3:15AM0.36m | 3:15PM0.57m | 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 | |||||||
— | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | |
7:31 | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | SE 7 | SE 11 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SE 6 | SE 9 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSE 5 | SE 8 | SE 5 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 8 |
13 | 43 | 19 | 64 | 44 | 48 | 33 | 29 | 57 | 105 | 82 | 88 | 61 | 26 | 42 | 23 | 71 | 51 | 42 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 12 | SE 12 | — | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 11 | SE 10 | SE 6 | ESE 10 | S 4 | — | — | E 10 | SE 8 | — | SE 8 | S 8 | S 7 | S 7 |
14 | 21 | — | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 8 | 40 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 44 | — | 31 | 43 | 9 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 8 | — | — | E 6 | — | — | E 14 | E 13 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 4 | E 11 | — | — | — | — |
3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 3 | SSE 6 | — | — | S 4 | — | — | SSE 3 | — | — | SSE 3 | S 6 | — | SSE 6 | — | — | SSW 2 | — |
— | 1 | 100 | — | — | 25 | — | — | 6 | — | — | 3 | 85 | — | 57 | — | — | 1 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 92 | 306 | 473 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 79 | 306 | 42 | 82 | 848 | 92 | 237 | 184 | 42 | 42 | 254 | 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.











