Short Sands Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.18° N 70.61° W

Short Sands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 13 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Short Sands sea temperature is
17.3°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 13 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 18 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 7s period, E swell with 78 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 18 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period with ESE 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 Friday (Sep 18) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 12s. 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 0.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 20) at 2AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11PM (Fri 18th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s
Best Surf11PM (Fri 18th Sep)2.5ft (0.8m) 6s
Most Powerful 8PM (Thu 17th Sep)3ft (0.9m) 7s

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


Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 11°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Moderate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Warm (max 23°C on Wed night, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
13
Monday
14
Tuesday
15
Wednesday
16
Thursday
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
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)
0.3
SE
10
0.4
SE
10
0.4
SE
9
0.5
SE
9
0.8
SE
7
0.6
SE
7
0.4
SE
7
0.3
SE
7
0.2
ESE
9
0.2
ESE
9
0.3
ESE
9
0.4
ESE
8
0.5
E
8
0.5
E
7
0.7
E
7
0.8
E
6
0.7
E
6
0.8
ESE
6
0.7
ESE
7
0.5
E
7
0.2
ESE
11
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
15
23
21
36
62
31
17
8
8
8
16
19
29
27
43
46
33
45
38
23
12
Wind (km/h)
15
SSW
5
SSE
15
SW
20
NW
15
NW
15
NNW
10
E
15
SSE
15
SW
15
SSW
20
SSE
10
SSW
15
N
15
NNE
20
NE
10
NNE
15
SE
10
NNW
10
E
10
SE
10
SW
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
off
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
off
High Tide
1:19PM2.98m
1:44AM2.85m
2:00PM2.92m
2:29AM2.70m
2:41PM2.83m
3:16AM2.54m
3:25PM2.72m
4:06AM2.39m
4:15PM2.61m
5:01AM2.27m
5:10PM2.52m
5:58AM2.20m
6:07PM2.47m
Low Tide
7:37PM-0.12m
7:52AM0.06m
8:22PM-0.03m
8:33AM0.22m
9:07PM0.09m
9:16AM0.37m
9:57PM0.23m
10:04AM0.52m
10:50PM0.36m
10:56AM0.63m
11:47PM0.45m
11:53AM0.70m
00:47AM0.49m
light rain
mod rain
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:18
6:20
6:20
6:22
6:22
6:24
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:55
6:54
6:52
6:51
6:49
6:46
6:45
 mm
3
7
1
14
Temp °C
17
17
18
20
21
16
13
14
14
17
21
23
17
15
14
14
17
15
15
15
15
Feels °C
16
17
19
16
16
12
10
12
11
14
18
21
18
14
12
12
14
14
13
12
12
  • 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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