Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth)
- Longboard, Shortboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Swell
- Spot Type
- 10–20 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth) is a sheltered Maine reef break with challenging, rocky access and a hazardous shoreline. The spot is characterized by slick, uneven rock surfaces (often with seaweed) and difficult entry/exit around jagged ledges, making it unsuitable for inexperienced surfers. Surf quality is tide- and swell-dependent. Northwest winds are the preferred setup because they tend to groom the wave faces, while the break is typically most effective around mid tide. On the right setup, waves can shape into hollow, fast-peeling walls suitable for maneuvers when the ledge connects, with ride length described as medium. Hazards are a central feature of the spot: strong currents and surges, rip currents, and reports of rogue waves/sneaker waves. The surrounding viewpoints can include 50+ foot cliff drops and areas without guardrails, so staying on designated, signed access routes is critical. Sea state and water temperature add further risk, including cold water shock. If you go, plan around access (earlier timing before low tide is described as helpful) and condition awareness (avoid wet ledges in heavy seas or ice). Safety gear is strongly emphasized, with booties and cold-water protection recommended, and lifeguard coverage noted as seasonal (mid-June to mid-August).
- Sheltered reef break with hollow, fast-peeling right waves on the right swell/wind setup
- Offshore northwest winds can groom the wave faces
- Marked hazards: slick rocks, reef-limited access, rogue waves/sneaker waves, and rip currents
- Grooming offshore northwest winds can make the reef faces work well.
- Sheltered reef break with powerful right-hand waves when conditions align.
- Mid-tide is a key window for stronger, more usable wave energy.
- Extremely rocky and hazardous entry/exit with slick, uneven footing.
- Rogue waves/sneaker waves and rip currents are reported.
- Strong tide dependence and limited safe shoreline access/takeoff zones.
- Cold water shock risk and very cold year-round temperatures.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Reported as frontal; northwest winds are the key setup for the break.
- Reliability
- average
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported; reliability described as average.
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- The cliffs provide some shelter from very strong westerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Swell
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky shoreline with reef and ledges.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Reported as small to medium overall; described as producing strong/powerful energy when conditions align.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky vantage points with signed paths; limited safe shoreline access and slick/uneven rock footing.
- Launch Difficulty
- Expert only — Difficult entry and exit over jagged, slippery rocks.
Through the year
Quiet in winter; summer weekends can peak between 11 AM–3 PM.
Late autumn and winter bring the strongest storms and swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Sheltered reef break on the Maine coast with strong wave energy at mid-rising tides. Typically works best with northwest wind and significant swell conditions (highly tide- and swell-dependent).
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is optimal; wait for mid-tide to avoid the shallowest reef parts.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Reported as sheltered overall; cliffs provide some shelter from very strong westerly winds.
- Wind Effect
- Northwest winds are offshore and groom the wave faces; northwest preferred.
- Bigger Swell
- Handles size but becomes increasingly dangerous and heavy.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good; sheltered setup with reef-limited takeoff.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Reported as powerful; becomes increasingly dangerous and heavy on larger swells.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow waves reported (right swell).
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peeling reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — A decent wall can connect for maneuvers when the ledge connects.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Reported typical ride length is medium; wall for maneuvers when the ledge connects.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth) in the full forecast view.
Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- W259°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 259 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.0 m7s period
- Temperature
- 1–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.3–1.0 m with a period of about 7s. 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 and sharp jagged rock
- Rock shelves
- Slick, uneven rock and seaweed
- Rip currents
- Strong currents and surges
- Rogue waves / sneaker waves
- Barnacles
- 50+ foot cliff drops
- No guardrails at many viewpoints
- Cold water shock
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards on duty mid-June to mid-August; also described as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited at the spot; Coast Guard coverage is provided nearby.
- Emergency Info
- Call 911. Nearest hospital: not specified; park staff available at entry booth.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Described as a small group of experienced locals; respect reef etiquette and local practice.
Rules of the spot
Swimming has right-of-way over all other water use; use only signed public access points and stay on established trails.
- Pets not allowed on beaches between April 1 and September 30.
- Floating devices, face masks, or snorkels prohibited at surf beaches.
- Stay on designated trails.
- Arrive 60–90 minutes before low tide for best shoreline access; low tide reveals more rock shelves while mid-rising tides bring stronger wave energy.
- Wear grippy shoes/booties for slick rock; avoid wet ledges during heavy seas or ice.
- Keep a wide margin from rogue waves and be prepared for dangerous entry/exit around the ledge.
- Know what to do if caught in a rip current: swim parallel to shore until clear of the outward pull, then swim in.
- Supervise children and dogs closely.
- Wait for mid-tide to avoid the shallowest parts of the reef; booties are essential even in summer due to sharp rocks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cape Elizabeth
- Nearest Town
- Cape Elizabeth
- Parking
- Fee collected year-round at entry booth (staff or self-service); parking available at Two Lights State Park.
- Access
- Accessible through Two Lights State Park or nearby public road pull-offs; use only signed public access points and stay on established paths.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Inns and rentals are available in Cape Elizabeth and Portland.
- Food & Drink
- Local seafood restaurants and shacks are within a short drive.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Rugged, preserved coastal setting with historic maritime scenery and close access to Portland for dining, culture, and activities.
Iconic lighthouse at Fort Williams Park.
Sea kayaking and coastal hiking through scenic trails.
Seafood with panoramic rocky-coast views.
Large park with open fields and historic ruins.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth)?
The best overall months at Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth) are November. The best wind months are November, December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth)?
Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth) works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth) suitable for?
Two Lights (Cape Elizabeth) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.