Short Sands Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.18° N 70.61° W

Short Sands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 7 pm 17 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Short Sands sea temperature is
18.8° C
1.0° 

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 18 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, SE swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, SE swell with 341 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 22 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period with SE 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 Wednesday (Jul 22) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Short Sands in the next 16 days are 1.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 8PM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul)5ft (1.6m) 6s
Best Surf 5AM (Wed 22nd Jul)5ft (1.6m) 6s
Most Powerful 2AM (Thu 23rd Jul)4.5ft (1.4m) 10s

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


Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon morning).

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 35mm), heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 24°C on Thu afternoon, min 16°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSE on Tue afternoon, light winds from the SW by Wed night).

Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
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
2
0
1
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
SE
14
0.1
SE
14
0.1
SE
13
0.1
SE
13
0.1
SE
13
0.1
SE
13
0.1
SE
12
0.1
SE
12
0.1
SE
12
0.1
SE
12
0.1
SE
12
1.5
SSE
6
0.1
SE
11
1.7
SSE
7
1.4
SSE
7
1.4
SE
10
0.9
SE
8
0.8
SE
8
1.1
SE
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
8
7
7
7
7
7
6
6
6
5
5
0
5
0
0
341
115
90
128
Wind (km/h)
5
W
15
S
35
SSW
20
WSW
25
NW
20
NW
15
W
0
NW
25
S
20
SW
20
SSE
30
SSE
30
ESE
15
S
10
SSW
15
W
15
WSW
15
W
10
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
High Tide
2:30AM3.11m
3:08PM2.89m
3:24AM2.94m
4:00PM2.85m
4:20AM2.75m
4:52PM2.80m
5:17AM2.57m
5:44PM2.74m
6:14AM2.42m
6:36PM2.68m
7:14AM2.31m
7:31PM2.63m
Low Tide
8:21PM-0.02m
8:55AM-0.24m
9:17PM0.05m
9:46AM-0.08m
10:14PM0.13m
10:36AM0.09m
11:12PM0.21m
11:27AM0.27m
00:11AM0.28m
12:20PM0.42m
1:11AM0.34m
1:14PM0.54m
2:12AM0.35m
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
heavy rain
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
5:18
5:18
5:20
5:20
5:22
5:22
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:17
8:17
8:16
8:15
8:15
8:14
8:14
 mm
1
28
1
4
2
Temp °C
25
23
26
21
22
25
22
23
24
21
20
21
20
21
23
22
22
24
21
Feels °C
22
20
22
18
17
21
18
22
21
17
18
18
20
22
25
24
19
22
19
  • 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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