
Surf Forecasts:
Higgins Beach surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 20 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, SE swell with 98 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 21 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with ESE 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 (Sep 21) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Mon 21st Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Higgins Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. Rusty here, with a look at the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, this is a tough run for Higgins Beach. For the first week and a half, we’ve got barely a whisper of surf. It’s all small, weak junk—0.7ft to 1ft mainly—with mostly onshore or cross-shore breezes shredding what little there is. There are a few moments of clean glass, like Thursday afternoon the 17th with that NNW wind, but the swell’s still tiny at 0.7ft, so you’re just bobbing around. The combined swell energy is stuck below 100 for days on end, barely registering. You’d be better off checking the tide pools.
We finally see something worth paddling out for on Wednesday the 23rd, but it comes with a catch. The afternoon brings a 7ft SE swell with a strong 431 combined energy, and a 7-second period—so it’s short interval, a bit of a lumpy windswell. The wind goes cross-off from the NE at 19 mph, so it’ll clean up, but that size is pushing into expert-only territory at Higgins. The morning of Thursday the 24th is the real standout. We’ve got a 7ft SE swell, a clean 8-second period, and glassy conditions with WSW wind at 3 mph. The combined energy jumps to 508, a serious pulse, and it’s glassy, but the model says this swell is predicted to be too big for this break. The water temp is about 62°, which is pretty average for the time of year, nothing wild.
After that, it fades fast. Through the 25th to the end of the month, we’re back to small, ordinary waves—2ft to 4ft—with few windows of clean wind. The 26th has a couple of clean cross-off mornings with 3ft to 3ft, but it’s nothing to write home about. Overall, this is a long dry spell with just one real spike, and that spike is oversized for the break. If you’re a paddle surfer, you might want to wait for the next forecast. If the wind is up on the 23rd or 24th, kite surfers might have a play, as the beach setup gets interesting with that strong wind and lumpy sea.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Warm (max 22°C on Wed night, min 11°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | SE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 4 | S 5 | ESE 13 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | SE 5 | SSE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
17 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 28 | 15 | 16 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 14 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 57 | 91 | 77 | 48 | 29 | 23 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 6:54AM2.23m | 7:02PM2.53m | 7:52AM2.26m | 8:00PM2.58m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:45PM0.71m | 1:38AM0.47m | 1:44PM0.66m | 2:31AM0.41m | |||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
— | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:44 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 9 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | S 5 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | ESE 7 | SE 7 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 11 | SSE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 |
17 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 12 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 15 | 11 | 91 | 77 | 48 | 29 | 23 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 7 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 7 | S 4 | SE 12 | SE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ESE 12 | ENE 4 | ESE 11 | ESE 11 | SE 8 | SE 11 | ESE 10 | SE 11 | SE 8 | ESE 9 |
8 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 12 | 3 | 29 | 10 | 5 | 15 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SE 15 | SE 14 | S 6 | SE 13 | SE 13 | ESE 13 | S 4 | SE 9 | SSE 4 | SE 9 | S 12 | ESE 12 | E 6 | — | — | E 9 | E 8 | S 6 | ESE 10 | — |
— | 8 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 3 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | S 4 | — | NE 3 | ENE 3 | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | SE 2 | S 4 | SE 5 | NE 4 | NNE 3 | N 3 | — | — |
1 | — | 3 | 4 | 28 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 7 | — | 2 | 20 | 57 | 18 | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 566 | 560 | 792 | 559 | 1335 | 560 | 178 | 1335 | 481 | 326 | 326 | 42 | 1341 | 1341 | 42 | 632 | 264 | 42 | 108 | 108 | 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.










