Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.18° N 70.61° W

Short Sands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 20 Oct 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Short Sands sea temperature is
12.9°C
0.7° 

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 21 Oct 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Tuesday 27 Oct, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, SE swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 21 Oct, 8PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, E swell with 847 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 24 Oct, 5AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 8s period with ENE 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 Saturday (Oct 24) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Short Sands in the next 16 days are 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Oct 21) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 10s period and expected on Thursday (Oct 22) at 11PM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Sat 24th Oct)2.5ft (0.8m) 8s
Best Surf 8PM (Tue 27th Oct)3ft (0.9m) 11s
Most Powerful 8PM (Wed 21st Oct)7.5ft (2.3m) 9s

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


Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 15°C on Thu afternoon, min 4°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 5°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
21
Thursday
22
Friday
23
Saturday
24
Sunday
25
Monday
26
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
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)
1.8
E
9
1.7
E
8
2.2
E
9
1.9
ESE
9
1.7
ESE
9
1.7
ESE
9
1.3
E
8
1.3
ENE
8
1.1
NE
7
1.3
NE
7
0.4
E
9
0.5
E
13
0.8
E
14
0.5
E
13
0.4
ESE
12
0.3
ESE
11
0.2
ESE
10
0.2
ESE
9
0.2
ESE
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
528
415
736
567
484
427
228
228
121
162
27
85
257
84
46
22
9
8
7
Wind (km/h)
25
NNE
25
NE
20
ENE
20
NNE
25
NNE
20
NNE
30
N
25
N
15
NNE
10
NNW
10
W
5
SSE
5
NW
10
SW
15
S
15
WSW
5
NNW
10
SE
5
NNE
Wind State
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
off
cross-off
off
glassy
cross
glassy
High Tide
8:03AM2.37m
8:14PM2.55m
8:48AM2.51m
9:04PM2.63m
9:29AM2.68m
9:48PM2.72m
10:07AM2.86m
10:32PM2.80m
10:46AM3.01m
11:16PM2.85m
11:27AM3.14m
00:01AM2.87m
Low Tide
1:48AM0.41m
2:05PM0.54m
2:36AM0.32m
2:56PM0.37m
3:19AM0.22m
3:42PM0.18m
3:59AM0.12m
4:25PM-0.01m
4:38AM0.05m
5:08PM-0.17m
5:20AM-0.01m
5:54PM-0.30m
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
—
7:01
—
—
7:03
—
—
7:05
—
—
7:05
—
—
7:07
—
—
7:09
—
—
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
5:52
—
5:50
—
—
5:49
—
—
5:46
—
—
5:45
—
—
5:44
—
—
5:43
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 mm
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Temp °C
14
7
8
8
10
15
11
8
12
10
7
13
12
10
15
15
12
16
15
Feels °C
9
1
2
3
4
10
4
1
7
4
3
9
8
6
10
11
10
13
13
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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