Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.18° N 70.61° W

Short Sands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 16 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Short Sands sea temperature is
13.7°C
1.2° 

Short Sands surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Short Sands surf forecast from 16 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 18 Oct, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, NE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Tuesday 20 Oct, 2AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, ESE swell with 1,230 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 18 Oct, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with NE swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Short Sands this week:

The surf forecast for Short Sands over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Oct 18) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Short Sands in the next 16 days are 2.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Oct 20) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (Oct 16) at 5PM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Sun 18th Oct)3.5ft (1.0m) 6s
Best Surf11AM (Sun 18th Oct)3.5ft (1.0m) 6s
Most Powerful 2AM (Tue 20th Oct)7ft (2.2m) 11s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Short Sands over the next 16 days.


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri night, min 3°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Fri morning, calm by Sun morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Tue afternoon, min 5°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Friday
16
Saturday
17
Sunday
18
Monday
19
Tuesday
20
Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.2
ESE
10
1.7
S
6
1
SSE
7
0.2
NNE
5
0.5
N
4
0.6
NNE
5
1
NE
6
0.7
ENE
5
0.4
ESE
7
0.8
E
6
1.3
ESE
9
2.2
ESE
11
2
ESE
10
1.8
ESE
9
1.8
E
9
2.2
ENE
8
1.6
E
8
2
E
9
1.7
E
9
1.6
E
9
1.5
ESE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
9
0
0
2
10
17
71
23
15
39
237
1230
778
544
505
614
347
582
455
430
329
Wind (km/h)
25
S
20
SW
30
WNW
20
NNW
25
NNW
10
NNW
5
NE
10
SE
5
ENE
20
ENE
20
ENE
20
NNE
25
NNE
15
NE
25
NNE
30
NNE
25
NE
25
NE
20
NE
15
ENE
15
N
Wind State
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
glassy
cross
on
on
on
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
High Tide
3:34PM2.59m
4:25AM2.26m
4:28PM2.51m
5:20AM2.21m
5:24PM2.46m
6:16AM2.21m
6:22PM2.45m
7:11AM2.26m
7:20PM2.48m
8:03AM2.37m
8:14PM2.55m
8:48AM2.51m
9:04PM2.63m
Low Tide
9:26AM0.58m
10:11PM0.35m
10:17AM0.66m
11:05PM0.44m
11:13AM0.71m
00:00AM0.47m
12:10PM0.71m
00:55AM0.46m
1:09PM0.65m
1:48AM0.41m
2:05PM0.54m
2:36AM0.32m
2:56PM0.37m
3:19AM0.22m
light rain
light rain
rain showers
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:56
—
—
6:56
—
—
6:58
—
—
7:00
—
—
7:01
—
—
7:01
—
—
7:03
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
—
5:58
—
—
5:57
—
—
5:54
—
—
5:52
—
—
5:52
—
—
5:50
—
—
5:49
—
 mm
4
1
2
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
12
17
18
8
9
5
5
7
7
8
9
8
10
14
13
7
10
9
6
8
8
Feels °C
6
15
16
3
2
-2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
10
9
0
3
2
1
4
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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Information about the Short Sands Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Short Sands provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Short Sands can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Short Sands 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 (Short Sands) 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 Short Sands 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.

Short Sands is 17 km (11 miles) from Portsmouth. If you plan a vacation in Maine, look for hotels and other accommodation in Portsmouth. Portsmouth has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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