Short Sands Surf Break

Lat Long: 43.18° N 70.61° W

Short Sands Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 1 am 23 Sep 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Short Sands sea temperature is
16.3°C
0.8° 

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 23 Sep 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Monday 28 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, ENE swell with cross-shore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 26 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 11s period, ENE swell with 4,158 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 28 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s 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 Monday (Sep 28) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 2.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Short Sands in the next 16 days are 4.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 26) 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 0.5m 3s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 30) at 5AM.

Wave TypeTime (EDT) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)11AM (Mon 28th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Best Surf11AM (Mon 28th Sep)10ft (3.0m) 9s
Most Powerful 8PM (Sat 26th Sep)13ft (4.0m) 11s

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


Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 10°C on Wed morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Wed night, fresh winds from the N by Fri night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Heavy rain (total 54mm), heaviest during Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Sun afternoon, min 12°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNE on Sun morning, light winds from the NNW by Mon night).

Wednesday
23
Thursday
24
Friday
25
Saturday
26
Sunday
27
Monday
28
Tuesday
29
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
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
!
3
1
1
1
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
ESE
7
1.5
ESE
7
1.5
ESE
8
1.7
ESE
9
2
ESE
10
2.1
ESE
11
2.5
ESE
12
2.4
ESE
12
2.5
ESE
11
3
E
11
4
ENE
11
3.5
ENE
11
3.5
ENE
10
2.1
E
10
3
ENE
9
3
ENE
9
1.8
E
9
1.4
E
8
1
E
8
0.8
E
8
0.6
E
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
121
249
306
464
687
1068
1751
1491
1479
2041
3684
3252
2106
804
1403
1288
505
260
116
72
46
Wind (km/h)
25
NE
15
E
15
NNE
20
NE
15
ENE
20
N
25
NNE
25
NNE
30
N
40
N
40
N
35
N
45
NNE
35
NE
30
N
20
NW
15
WNW
10
NW
5
NE
10
SSE
10
SW
Wind State
on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
glassy
cross-off
off
High Tide
9:35AM2.43m
9:44PM2.71m
10:14AM2.56m
10:25PM2.79m
10:51AM2.70m
11:05PM2.85m
11:26AM2.84m
11:45PM2.89m
12:02PM2.96m
00:26AM2.90m
12:40PM3.05m
1:09AM2.87m
1:21PM3.10m
1:53AM2.81m
Low Tide
3:35PM0.42m
4:07AM0.20m
4:17PM0.27m
4:43AM0.11m
4:58PM0.12m
5:19AM0.03m
5:38PM-0.02m
5:56AM-0.02m
6:20PM-0.13m
6:35AM-0.04m
7:02PM-0.20m
7:15AM-0.02m
7:47PM-0.23m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
mod rain
light rain
light rain
heavy rain
light rain
light rain
mod rain
light rain
light rain
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:30
6:31
6:31
6:33
6:33
6:35
6:35
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
6:37
6:37
6:35
6:32
6:30
6:29
6:28
 mm
6
2
2
29
4
5
7
4
1
Temp °C
12
13
13
12
13
13
13
17
16
13
13
13
14
15
14
13
14
13
17
19
16
Feels °C
7
8
10
7
8
10
7
12
12
5
6
6
7
9
10
10
12
11
17
18
14
  • 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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