Moody Beach
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Moody Beach is an exposed beach break in Wells, Maine known for fairly consistent surf that can work at any time of the year. It’s generally best when southeast swells line up with offshore northwest winds, which help groom the wave faces. The beach is sandy, but the break is exposed, so sessions are strongly affected by swell size and wind direction. Conditions come with practical safety considerations. There are rocks/submerged rock areas, and currents can include occasional rip currents—especially near rock features and during larger swells. The water is cold for much of the year, so winter sessions require full thermal protection (including a hood, boots, and gloves), and emergency readiness matters; rescue availability is described as limited and coverage is seasonal/regionally supported. Access and logistics are the biggest constraints. Public access is technically limited to the intertidal zone, and the beach can become extremely thin at high tide due to sea walls—so planning around mid to low tide is essential. Parking is extremely limited near the beach, and arriving early is strongly recommended. In terms of crowd and timing, the spot is characterized as low-profile with unlikely-to-be-too-crowded conditions even when surf is up. Winter and autumn are commonly highlighted for the best overall combination of swell and colder water, while summer can be quieter than peak-season expectations but access/tide planning remains important.
- Exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf year-round
- Offshore NW winds groom the swell
- Best swell direction is southeast (SE works especially well)
- Fairly consistent exposed beach break with year-round surf
- Best surf pairing is southeast swell with offshore northwest winds
- Crowds are typically unlikely even when conditions are good
- Exposed, open-coast conditions with rocks and strong cold-water considerations
- Public access is restricted to the intertidal zone; respect private property above the high-water mark
- Parking is extremely limited
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, NW, W, E, SE, S, SW
- Offshore directions
- NW, W, NNW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal systems can influence off-season conditions; offshore NW flow is the key for surf grooming.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- High sea walls can create small wind shadows at very low tides.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium — Working swell is often described as small-to-medium; optimal swell height cited around 1.0–2.0 meters.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow sandy beach that becomes very thin at high tide due to sea walls.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Conflicting reports: surfing launch difficulty described as easy, while other sources rate it moderate due to the narrow, tide-dependent launch area.
Through the year
Much quieter in the shoulder seasons and winter; highest crowds in summer.
Late autumn and winter bring frequent Nor'easters (and associated storm activity).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible but challenging due to the narrow beach and private property restrictions; launching is best at low to mid tide when more sand is exposed.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable on higher tides if you can manage the shore break; mostly sandy bottom with watch-outs for scattered rocks.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf that can work year-round. Best on southeast swells and offshore northwest winds.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, SE, S
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is generally preferred; public-access constraints make mid-to-low tide planning important.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed open-coast beach break; no strong natural shelter noted.
- Wind Effect
- Northwest winds are perfectly offshore, grooming the swell; best surf is with offshore NW winds alongside solid SE/E swells.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large, direct swells but often holds up better on angled swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Workable faces for both shortboarders and longboarders.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves provide workable faces for both shortboarders and longboarders.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Moody Beach in the full forecast view.
Moody Beach wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- W259°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 279 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–0.8 m6s period
- Temperature
- 0–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Moody Beach is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.3–0.8 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
- Rocks
- Submerged rocks
- Sea walls
- Rip currents
- Cold water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards are provided at major sandy beaches from mid-June through Labor Day (coverage is regional rather than confirmed as a dedicated base on the exact beach strip).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited; regional emergency response is available via 911 and Coast Guard coverage.
- Emergency Info
- In case of emergency, dial 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Sources characterize localism as none/mild; access limits appear to be primarily property-and-parking related rather than social hostility.
Rules of the spot
Public access is technically limited to the intertidal zone (fishing, fowling, and navigation) due to local property laws. Respect private property signs above the high water mark.
- Restricted public access above the high tide line
- Limited parking
- Plan the session for mid to low tide: the beach essentially disappears at high tide.
- Arrive early to secure one of the very few public parking spots nearby.
- Use winter-rated water protection (thick hooded wetsuit with boots and gloves).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Portland
- Nearest Town
- Wells
- Nearest Airport
- Portland International Jetport (PWM)
- Parking
- Extremely limited public parking at the end of Ocean Avenue or nearby street ends; most parking is for residents only.
- Public Transport
- Limited public transit; seasonal Shoreline Trolley and the Amtrak Downeaster serve nearby Wells station.
- Access
- Access is via Ocean Avenue. Public access is contested and generally restricted to the wet sand area.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous vacation rentals and small motels in the Wells and Ogunquit area.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants and cafes are located a short drive away in the main town of Wells.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at surf shops in neighboring Ogunquit or Wells.
- Gear Storage
- Limited dedicated gear storage; most visitors use their private vehicle or nearby accommodation for storage.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and wetsuit repair services available through local specialty shops.
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 Moody Beach?
The best overall months at Moody Beach are December. The best wind months are September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Moody Beach?
Moody Beach works with N, NE, NW, W, E, SE, S, SW winds. Offshore directions are NW, W, NNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Moody Beach?
Recommended equipment sizes at Moody Beach: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Moody Beach suitable for?
Moody Beach suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.