Nantasket Beach surf guide
Surf: The curve of this long beach catches the full swell window because the southern end faces NE and the northern end almost faces SE. This means SW to NW winds will be offshore depending which end you’re at. All tides are possible although dead high will do it no favors. Optimum conditions would be W winds, a NE groundswell, and 4 hours before high to produce longer rides from further outside, which can be fast, steep, and hollow, then slow, fat, and mushy, along various sections of the wave all the way to the beach. Best described as a variety pack.
Access: Free in winter only
Environment: Consistent wave magnet that only gets crowded when everyone hits the same peak either in front of one the many pay carparks or the surf shop in Hull. Minor northerly drift, occasional stormwater run-off, and inconsiderate tourists’ trash.
Surf: General: The area is totally shut out from most surf, but a NE swell does manage to sneak into the window. Nantasket Beach is on a peninsula that forms the southern arm of Boston Harbor. As a whole, Nantasket is a long sandy beach with multiple beachbreak peaks.
Tides: High
Size: Waist-head high
Wind: SW
Swell: NE
Bottom: Sand
Paddling: Pretty mellow in the summer but much worse in the winter when cold water and air necessitate full winter gear.
Spot Rating: Not consistent but can be fun on the right swell.
Access: Easy, but metered parking.
Crowds: Crowd Factor: Sparse.
Local Vibe: Mellow.
Environment: Not great since near Boston Harbor.
Hazards: Freezing water temps in Winter.
Season: September through March