Cold-water Surf Guide 🌊
Higgins Beach, Maine. 🗺
At Higgins, surfing is a year round occasion with some of the best swells typically breaking in the colder months. Perfect conditions mean double overhead barrels of ice cold goodness. In fact, it isn’t uncommon to see a crowded line-up amidst the thralls of a frigid Nor’easter’.
The local surf scene is pretty friendly to outsiders; just be respectful, as these are some of the heartiest surfers in New England.
Everything you need to know for your cold-water surf session ❄️
1. Tide and Temp: 🥶 🌨️
Higgins has major tide fluctuations with an average of more than 10 feet each day. Extremely low water temperatures (4.9 C / 40.8 F) at Higgins come close to freezing.
A thick quality wetsuit, neoprene hood, gloves and boots it will keep you warm in the water. Water temperatures in the late fall and winter range between the upper 30s, to low 40s. Cold but manageable. Grab your gear, and head out!
2. When to Visit: 🍂
November is the best time of year for surfing Higgins Beach if you want clean, consistent waves.
Late Autumn to early Spring is when you’ll find the biggest surf. In the winter months, sea temperatures sit in the mid to upper 30s. Average temperatures
What to look for 📍: (Southeast swell and Northwest offshore wind combo)
“The Perfect Wave, for this southeast-facing beach, is a swell made in the Caribbean that works its way slowly up the slot midway between the Outer Banks and Bermuda, and doesn't turn until it's just south of Cape Cod. “ - SL
3. 🌊 The Wave:
Higgins' claim to fame is its uncanny ability to hold picturesque, overhead-plus swells. It handles 17-second-period, double-overhead groundswells as well as many other popular points around the world.
— But without a channel for safe passage. 🌊
— Paddle long enough - you'll make it through 🌊
What sets Higgins apart is a shifty, gradually sloping, but uneven sandy bottom. Waves here break in both directions depending on the shifting sands.
As good as any other spot in coastal Maine, Higgins Beach is a classic; you can be sure that every session will a challenge, and no two ever the same! Overall, Higgins Beach is a great spot for all skill levels. Grab your board, your wetsuit, and have at it!
Pro Tip: 💡
There is a large rocky outcropping in the middle of the beach that is submerged at high tide. Stay aware towards the middle of the break.
The Crew: 📹
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The Crew: 📹 _° _
