Moody Point
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Point is an exposed reef break off the Wells/Ogunquit coast that relies on specific conditions to work reliably. It’s shaped by submerged boulders and can produce waves on both left and right, but the spot is described as temperamental—only coming alive “once in a while.” The spot’s best surf window is tied to winter, with December identified as the top month. Sessions typically perform best at high tide, and with offshore northwest winds that help keep the face cleaner. Favorable sessions are also linked to large southeast to east-southeast swells; the spot is reported to handle swell up to about 6 feet (around 1.8 m). Safety is a major concern here. Hazards include rocks, submerged boulders/reef features, rip currents, and pollution. Expect strong current risk during larger sets and take extra care around the reef when paddling out. Local advice also highlights that the left side can be trickier because it may close out while the right breaks in from further down the beach. Because water temperatures stay cold year-round, a hooded winter wetsuit setup is recommended for the coldest months (including booties and gloves/hood as specified). When surf is up, crowds are possible; however, overall visitation is described as inconsistent due to the difficulty and the spot’s occasional nature.
- Exposed boulder reef shaping both left and right-hand waves
- Best at high tide with offshore northwest winds
- Winter is the standout season, especially December
- Reports indicate working up to about 6 feet (1.8 m) swell
- Offshore northwest winds can create clean conditions when the swell and tide align
- High tide can unlock the reef for better wave shapes
- Winter Atlantic swells can produce powerful sessions
- Only works occasionally/temperamental reef conditions
- Hazardous rocky reef with rip currents
- Pollution risk
- Advanced-level difficulty and cold-water requirements
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Reliability
- low (spot-level); December has higher clean/small percentages (spot-level)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported for the spot’s wind regime.
- Best Months
- December
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky/reef environment; rocky shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Spot described as small overall, but it can handle much larger swell (up to ~6 feet / 1.8 m) when conditions align.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline requiring careful entry.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Difficult entry/launch area; requires careful walking and paddling over a rocky reef.
Through the year
Crowds are likely when surf is up; summer is described as crowded with tourists, though the spot itself is rarely crowded due to inconsistency and difficulty.
Late autumn and winter bring frequent Nor'easter storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break with submerged boulder reef shaping both left and right-hand waves; typically requires specific swell/tide to come alive.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, SSE
- Swell Height
- 1.8 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — Best at high tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef/point environment with limited shelter.
- Wind Effect
- Northwest winds provide offshore-best, cleaner conditions when the reef is working.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and dangerous over the shallow reef; handles swells up to about 6 feet (about 1.8 m).
- Wave Quality
- Average — Described as average; clean-wave frequency is limited (spot reports indicate only certain windows produce clean waves).
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Wave power described as powerful (spot-level); also described as moderate in some sessions.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed wave shape noted.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed described as medium.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short, punchy rides over a rocky bottom.
- Ride Length Details
- Short, punchy rides over a rocky bottom.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Moody Point in the full forecast view.
Moody Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–10 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- W260°
- Strongest day
- Fri, Oct 3010 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 Point is forecast for daytime winds of 2–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Friday, October 30 with gusts to 23 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
- rip currents
- pollution
- submerged boulders
- potentially submerged ledges
- cold water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards confirmed for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability reported as no (spot-level).
- Emergency Info
- In case of emergency, dial 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism noted.
Rules of the spot
Beware of rips, rocks and pollution. Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect local riders.
- The left can be trickier since it often closes out due to the right breaking in from further down the beach.
- Be mindful of boulders when paddling out.
- Wait for high tide to ensure enough water over the reef.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Wells
- Nearest Town
- Wells
- Parking
- Free parking in Ogunquit lot after 5 PM; park over the town line in Ogunquit and navigate to Moody Beach. Limited parking also noted in surrounding residential streets and public beach lots.
- Access
- Follow coastal road south from Wells into Ogunquit; parking lot immediately to the right after crossing the town line. Navigate to Moody Beach then follow coast south (spot-level access notes).
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Seasonal rentals and motels are available in Wells and Ogunquit.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants and cafes along Route 1 and near Wells Beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboards, paddleboards, and wetsuits are widely available for rent at local surf shops in the Ogunquit and Wells area.
- Gear Storage
- Limited dedicated gear storage; most visitors use their vehicle or nearby accommodation (area-level).
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and wetsuit repair services available through local specialty shops (area-level).
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 Point?
The best overall months at Moody Point are December, January, February, March. The best wind months are December.
Which wind directions work at Moody Point?
Moody Point works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Moody Point suitable for?
Moody Point suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.