Ogunquit Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Ogunquit Beach. We’ve got a pretty quiet stretch ahead, so don’t go cancelling your plans just yet. The first week or so is looking very small and weak, but there’s a window of decent, clean surf kicking off on Thursday afternoon, September 3rd, that’s worth circling on the calendar.

The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about. For the first few days, from Monday, August 31st right through to Wednesday morning, September 2nd, we’re stuck with tiny, weak swell – only 1 ft to 2 ft from the SE. The wave energy is poor (13-71), and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, so it’s going to be messy and flat. Not worth paddling out for.

Thursday morning, September 3rd, the swell picks up a bit to 6 ft from the SSE, but the wind is howling onshore from the south at 12 mph, making it a choppy, crumbly mess. You’ll be dodging rain showers, too. The combined energy is moderate (216), but the conditions are just poor.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Thursday afternoon, September 3rd, is your best bet. The swell holds at a solid 7 ft from the SSE, and the wind swings around to a clean, cross-offshore from the NW at 9 mph. The wave energy is strong (774), and the report says to expect very good surf conditions. The period is a short 7 seconds, so it won’t be a long-period groundswell, but for a beach break, that short period can actually keep the waves from closing out too fast. This is the standout session – it’s a legit window of clean, solid waves. Ogunquit Beach is a beginner spot, but 7 ft is pushing into more intermediate territory, so be aware of that.

Friday, September 4th, is a nice follow-up. The swell drops to 4 ft from the SE in the morning, with clean cross-offshore winds (6 mph). Then Friday afternoon goes glassy – no wind at all on the nose from the north at 3 mph. The swell is a bit smaller at 3 ft from the ESE, but with glassy conditions, it’ll be fun and clean. Wave energy is moderate (119-120). A great mellow day for a log or a mid-length.

After that, the weekend goes downhill. Saturday, September 5th, brings onshore winds and messy, poor surf. Sunday, September 6th, has a bigger swell (7 ft from the NE) but the wind is a stiff 19 mph cross-offshore, which will make it clean but powerful and tricky. The energy is very strong (974), but the forecast calls it marginal, so it’s really only for experienced paddlers who know the sandbar.

The second week, from September 7th onward, is a real letdown. The swell drops back to 1 ft to 3 ft, with mostly onshore or cross-onshore winds from the SE and E. Long periods (11 seconds) show up on Monday the 7th, but the swell is tiny and the wind is messy. Combined energy is weak to moderate (29-236). There are a few afternoons with clean, offshore wind (September 10th afternoon, September 11th morning, September 14th all day), but the swell is just too small – 1 ft to 2 ft – to get excited about. You might get a few knee-high rollers on a glassy morning, but it’s a stretch.

So, to sum it up: the real action is the Thursday afternoon, September 3rd window with 7 ft, clean cross-offshore wind, and strong energy. Friday, September 4th, is your “clean and cruisy” day. The rest is a long run of flat or poor conditions. Don’t hold your breath; forecast can change, but as it stands, that’s the story.

Rusty.

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