🇺🇸 ORLEANS, MASSACHUSETTS
Nauset Beach
Cape Cod's premier Atlantic-facing beach break
FLAT
Live Conditions
Conditions Summary
Small 1.7ft surf — but short 4s period indicates wind swell, expect choppy conditions — hitting at the ideal angle — 10mph onshore wind roughing up the surface
LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby
Why it's FLAT
Swell Direction
Primary swell is 122° — matches the ideal 100° window for this spot
Swell Period
4s — this is wind chop, not groundswell. Waves will be weak and disorganized.
Wind
10mph onshore — light but will soften wave shape
Tide
Low tide — often the best window for reef/point breaks
Season
September is peak season for this spot
Data Confidence
Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby
At the Break
1.7ft
LOW CONFIDENCE
Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby
Period
4s
✗ Wind swell
Wind
10mph
SE
ONSHORE
Water
65°F
Spring suit
Tide
LOW TIDE
0.28ft
Next high: in 4 hr 58 min
Swell Direction
85%
Wind Direction
20%
Primary Swell
0.5ft @ 5.2s
ESE 122°
Secondary Swell
0.3ft @ 3.0s
ESE 105°
10 Day Outlook
1.7ft
TODAY
Sep 13
(9s)
2.9ft
TMRW
Sep 14
(9s)
2.7ft
TUE
Sep 15
(6s)
1.5ft
WED
Sep 16
(8s)
1.9ft
THU
Sep 17
(8s)
2.7ft
FRI
Sep 18
(7s)
1.6ft
SAT
Sep 19
(7s)
2.0ft
SUN
Sep 20
(7s)
3.6ft
MON
Sep 21
(7s)
3.2ft
TUE
Sep 22
(7s)
Best this week: THU Sep 17 — 1.9ft
Best next week: MON Sep 21 — 3.6ft
Model Breakdown
ECMWF (45%)2.0ft
ICON (35%)1.5ft
GFS (20%)1.4ft
Model confidence80%
Updated every 30 mins · Open-Meteo ECMWF + ICON + GFS
About
Nauset Beach is a 10-mile stretch of east-facing sand on the outer Cape, directly exposed to Atlantic swell. Picks up hurricane swell, Nor'easter energy, and groundswell from deep in the Atlantic. The sandbars reshape constantly, and quality can vary wildly day-to-day, but on the right swell and wind it produces some of the best waves in New England.
The Break
Nauset Beach — open beach break along a massive stretch of sand. Walk to find the best sandbars.
Ideal Conditions
E/SE swell 3-10ft, offshore W wind, mid to low tide
Best Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best months highlighted · Current: Sep
Trip Planner
Cape Cod Beach Break Weekend
Weekend · 3 Days
Friday
Drive from Boston (2 hrs) to outer Cape. Check the long Nauset Beach stretch for best sandbars.
Saturday
Dawn patrol at prime peaks. Bring binoculars — seals are common and interesting to watch.
Sunday
Morning session, explore nearby Wellfleet or head home midday.
Outer Cape Nauset Deep Dive
Full Week · 7 Days
Day 1
Arrive Cape Cod, settle in Orleans, walk Nauset Beach to scout sandbars.
Day 2-4
Multiple sessions. Different sandbars fire on different days — explore the full 10-mile stretch.
Day 5
Final session, explore the Cape Cod National Seashore if weather allows.
Local Knowledge
01
Long walks to find the best peaks — wear good shoes.
02
Seals are common — and so are their predators (sharks). Stay aware and in groups.
03
Sandbars reshape constantly — conditions vary wildly day-to-day.
Best Window
Day 9 · Sep 21
3.6ft @ 7s
FAIR
Trip Cost Estimate
Flights from NYC~$0
Hotel per night~$180
Weekend est.~$540
5 day est.~$900
Week est.~$1260