Nahant Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you about Nahant Beach. We’ve got a long look ahead, but it’s a proper struggle for most of it. The pattern is essentially flat or tiny, with messy wind and weak, short-period energy. The first real chance of anything remotely rideable doesn’t show up until Saturday the 25th, and even then it’s a marginal call. That’s a solid 9-day gap from the start of the forecast with nothing worth paddling out for.

The water temp is sitting at 69°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re waiting.

Let’s get into the details. Thursday the 16th and Friday the 17th are a write-off. We’re talking about 0.3ft of weak, 15-second period easterly energy. The combined energy is a pitiful 7, so there’s nothing moving. Winds are offshore or cross-off in the mornings, but with no swell to work with, it’s just a flat, clean lake.

There’s a slight bump on Saturday the 18th afternoon, with a 3ft SSE swell, but the period is a terrible 4 seconds. The combined energy hits 39, which is still weak. The southerly wind is howling at 35 km/h, which is a fresh breeze. It’s clean, but that short-period windswell is just bumpy and weak. Not worth getting wet for.

The rest of that week and into the next is more of the same: tiny swells, periods under 10 seconds, and mostly cross or cross-on winds. The combined energy readings stay well under 100, which is weak. There’s a bit of a lift on the 24th (Friday), with a 4ft ESE swell and a combined energy of 130, but the period is only 6 seconds and the wind is onshore. It’s going to be a choppy mess.

The Standout (and really the only option):

Look to Saturday the 25th morning. That’s the one window. An ESE swell at 3ft with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy is 144 (moderate). The wind is light out of the NW, so it’s clean. The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” and honestly, that’s the best we’ve got. It’s a score of 1 in the data, so it’s not going to be pumping, but it’s the only time you’ll find a clean, waist-high wave. The swell direction is ESE, which is off the optimum ENE for this spot, but beggars can’t be choosers. Expect some crowds, as this place is often busy.

The next morning, Sunday the 26th, has a similar-sized 4ft SE swell, but the period drops to 7 seconds, and the cross-on wind will make it messy. The combined energy is 226 (strong), but the quality just isn’t there.

After that, it’s back to small, weak, and choppy for the rest of the window. The 27th has a 3ft SE swell with a 7-second period and 150 combined energy, but the wind is cross-on and fresh. It’s a choppy, difficult paddle.

Frankly, for most of this 16-day run, the setup at Nahant Beach, with the small, weak swell and persistent wind, makes it look more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddler. Keep your expectations really low, and if you’re desperate, the 25th morning is your only chance for a few clean but ordinary waves.

Rusty.

Read more