
Surf Forecasts:
Higgins Beach surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 5s period, E swell with 76 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Higgins Beach this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Higgins Beach in the next 16 days are 1.2m 5s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 8AM. 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 5PM.
| Wave Type | Time (EDT) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Higgins Beach over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer at Higgins Beach. Straight up – it’s a tough stretch ahead. We’re looking at a long gap with barely a ripple worth paddling for. The first real chance you’ll get is nearly two weeks away, so don’t hold your breath for the next week or so.
For the first twelve days, it’s mostly tiny, weak, and messy. You’ve got swell heights stuck between 0.7ft and 3ft with periods under 10 seconds, and winds swinging onshore or cross-shore more often than not. Friday the 11th starts with glassy conditions and a tiny 1ft SSE swell, but it’s just not enough to push a board. The combined energy is weak (18) – barely a bump. Water temp is sitting at 62°F, which is a touch above average for this time of year, so that’s one small win if you’re in a wetsuit.
Between the 12th and the 17th, you’re looking at more of the same – ankle to knee-high slop, mostly cross-on winds, and combined energy staying in the teens to low 40s. There’s a brief moment on the morning of the 14th with a clean offshore from the NW and a 1ft SE swell, but still underpowered.
The 18th is where things start to change, but not for the better. That morning brings a lumpy 4ft swell from the east with a 6-second period, combined energy hitting (115) – moderate at least – but strong cross-shore winds ruin it. The afternoon cleans up slightly, wind goes light and cross-off, and you get surfable but ordinary 3ft waves. It’s the first day worth a look but nothing special.
Saturday the 19th is a write-off with rain and choppy cross-shore wind. Sunday the 20th morning has clean offshore wind with a 4ft ENE swell, but the combined energy (147) is still moderate and the period’s short. A kite might have more fun than a paddle board those days.
The standout, if you can wait, is Wednesday the 23rd. Morning sees a clean 4ft swell from the ESE with a 9-second period – moderate energy (244) and light onshore wind that’s not too messy. It’s the best swell size of the whole outlook, but it’s still a marginal call and not exactly firing. By Thursday the 24th, the wind swings offshore from the west, but the swell drops back to 3ft – 4ft.
Friday the 25th morning looks clean again: a light NNW offshore, a 4ft ESE swell, and combined energy (176). The period is still 9 seconds – solid enough for a beach break, but nothing ground-swell quality.
So really, your best bet is the morning of the 25th of September – clean, offshore, and a modest pulse of energy. It’s not a day to call in sick for, but if you’re desperate, it’s the best the next two weeks have to offer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed night, min 10°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SSE 7 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | E 3 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 50 | 37 | 44 | 29 | 19 | 36 | 33 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 22 | 17 | 10 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | glassy | off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 11:51AM3.07m | 00:11AM3.16m | 12:34PM3.10m | 00:56AM3.07m | 1:16PM3.08m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:56PM-0.16m | 6:21AM-0.17m | 6:43PM-0.16m | 7:03AM-0.08m | 7:29PM-0.12m | 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 | ||||||||
6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 6:59 | — | — | 6:57 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:53 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:47 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 10 |
Temp °C | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 12 |
Feels °C | 16 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 6 | SSE 6 | SSE 7 | ESE 9 | ESE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SE 10 | SSE 5 | SE 6 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | E 6 | ESE 9 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | SSE 5 | ESE 8 | SE 8 | ESE 9 |
7 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 32 | 17 | 15 | 36 | 33 | 16 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 22 | 17 | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 8 | SE 9 | ESE 9 | SSE 6 | — | — | — | — | SE 9 | SE 9 | — | E 15 | — | ESE 9 | SE 6 | SE 13 | ESE 9 | ESE 7 | S 4 | ESE 12 | SE 12 |
7 | 13 | 9 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 29 | 19 | — | 4 | — | 8 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 15 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 10 | — | — | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | — | — | — | SE 15 | SE 14 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | SE 13 | — | SE 13 |
4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | — | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNE 3 | — | S 3 | S 5 | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | — | NNW 2 | NNE 3 | N 3 | — | SSE 7 | S 4 | S 4 | S 4 | — | — | E 3 | E 3 |
— | — | 1 | — | 5 | 50 | 37 | 44 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 17 | 21 | 12 | 13 | — | — | 1 | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 254 | 439 | 326 | 1335 | 1345 | 79 | 409 | 92 | 180 | 326 | 175 | 42 | 449 | 792 | 848 | 1335 | 1335 | 178 | 468 | 178 | 400 |
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.










