🇺🇸 ORLEANS, MASSACHUSETTS
Nauset Beach
Cape Cod's premier Atlantic-facing beach break
SMALL
Live Conditions
Conditions Summary
Small 2.1ft surf — but short 4s period indicates wind swell, expect choppy conditions — hitting at the ideal angle — 10mph onshore wind roughing up the surface — Note: this is outside the peak season for this spot
LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby
Why it's SMALL
Swell Direction
Primary swell is 84° — 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
High tide — some spots get mushy at peak high
Season
July is off-season — rare for this spot to get quality waves
Data Confidence
Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby
At the Break
2.1ft
LOW CONFIDENCE
Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby
Period
4s
✗ Wind swell
Wind
10mph
SE
ONSHORE
Water
69°F
Spring suit
Tide
HIGH TIDE
6.1ft
Next low: in 6 hr 18 min
Swell Direction
85%
Wind Direction
5%
Primary Swell
0.9ft @ 5.2s
E 84°
Secondary Swell
0.6ft @ 6.3s
SE 141°
10 Day Outlook
3.4ft
TODAY
Jul 29
(8s)
3.4ft
TMRW
Jul 30
(7s)
2.5ft
FRI
Jul 31
(7s)
1.6ft
SAT
Aug 1
(9s)
1.1ft
SUN
Aug 2
(8s)
3.1ft
MON
Aug 3
(8s)
3.0ft
TUE
Aug 4
(9s)
2.3ft
WED
Aug 5
(8s)
1.8ft
THU
Aug 6
(6s)
1.6ft
FRI
Aug 7
(10s)
Best this week: today — 3.4ft
Best next week: FRI Aug 7 — 1.6ft
Model Breakdown
ECMWF (45%)2.6ft
ICON (35%)1.7ft
GFS (20%)1.7ft
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: Jul
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 1 · Jul 29
3.4ft @ 8s
FAIR
Trip Cost Estimate
Flights from NYC~$0
Hotel per night~$180
Weekend est.~$540
5 day est.~$900
Week est.~$1260