Green Harbor
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- Spot Type
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Range
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Green Harbor (Marshfield) is a sheltered beach/jetty surf spot that tends to work only once in a while, so wave quality can be highly condition-dependent. The setup centers on the jetty at the end of Beach Street, where the break is shaped by sandbars and typically prefers mid tide. Wind-wise, northeast wind is referenced as the best direction by one spot guide, but another description highlights offshore winds from the West or Northwest as the winds that clean up the faces. In practice, this means you’ll want to time the session to match both the swell direction and the local wind direction so the jetty break actually organizes. Safety is the major constraint here: dangerous rips and strong rip currents are repeatedly flagged, especially next to the jetty/rocks, with additional rippiness attributed to estuary outflow. Heavy harbor/boat traffic near the channel is also a concern—riders should stay clear of the navigational area and be cautious around the rocks/submerged hazards. For equipment and cold-water comfort, the spot guidance emphasizes winter-appropriate protection, including a wetsuit plus neoprene hood, gloves, and boots for colder months. Lifeguards are seasonal, rescue coverage is limited, and emergency procedures should be treated seriously given the strong currents near the rocks.
- Sheltered beach/jetty break that works occasionally
- Mid tide favored
- Dangerous rips next to the jetty are a key hazard
- Jetty helps shape the wave and provides shelter compared to open coast.
- Mid tide is favored.
- Can offer peeling, organized right-hand waves when sandbars form (conditions-dependent).
- Break only works occasionally, so days can be inconsistent.
- Dangerous rips and strong rip currents are common next to the jetty/rocks.
- Winter water temperatures are very cold.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- W, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Reliability
- low
- Best Months
- March
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Flat
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach area adjacent to the rock jetty; beach/jetty break at the end of Beach Street with a jetty present.
Through the year
By sport
What to expect for each.
Sheltered beach/jetty break that only works once in a while; requires the right conditions and careful navigation of rips next to the jetty/rocks.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- NE, ESE, SE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Jetty provides some protection, but near-jetty conditions remain hazardous.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the West or Northwest clean up the faces; northeast wind is often referenced as the best direction.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well but can become heavy and difficult to paddle out against the rip.
- Wave Quality
- Poor — Provider disagreement exists: one source rates quality as poor/only occasional, while another describes occasions with good quality when sandbars form.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can produce long peeling rights along the jetty when sandbars are well-formed; typical rides can be medium length.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Green Harbor in the full forecast view.
Green Harbor wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–12 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- W270°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2712 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.4 m6s period
- Temperature
- 3–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Green Harbor is forecast for daytime winds of 2–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.1–1.4 m with a period of about 6s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- dangerous rips and strong rip currents next to the jetty/rocks
- estuary outflow (rippy conditions)
- jetty/rock hazards and submerged rocks near the pier
- heavy boat traffic in the harbor channel
- winter water temperatures
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- For emergencies dial 911.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; stay clear of the active harbor channel/boat traffic.
- Keep out of the navigational/harbor channel.
- Resident sticker parking required in season.
- Surfing here means negotiating dangerous rips.
- Strong rip currents can be found next to the jetty; they may be used to get out, but are dangerous for inexperienced swimmers.
- Best at mid tide.
- Navigate rips carefully.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Marshfield
- Nearest Town
- Marshfield, MA 02050
- Parking
- Resident sticker parking required in season; in-town lots available on Avon Street (10am–4pm), Green Harbor Post Office on Beach Street (10am–4pm), and Beach Street extension; no fee for off-season parking.
- Access
- Located at the end of Beach Street in Marshfield; public beach access is free (seasonal parking rules apply).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Green Harbor?
The best overall months at Green Harbor are March.
Which wind directions work at Green Harbor?
Green Harbor works with NE winds. Offshore directions are W, NW.
What skill level is Green Harbor suitable for?
Green Harbor suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.