MA North Shore Surf Spots

Plum Island

Skill Level: From intermediate to advanced.
Wave Type: Various beach breaks. Boulder reef/rivermouth at the southern end.
Best Swell Direction: E.
Best Wind Direction: NW to SSW.
Best Tide: Mostly low (incoming), but its a long beach, check your options.
Swell Direction Range: NE to E.
Surfable Break Size: Waist plus.
Bottom Type: Mostly sand. Boulders at the end.

Comments: The long beach can have some nice breaks depending on how the sandbars form. They opened the beaches to surfers recently. At the South end of the National Wildlife Refuge (facing Crane’s Beach) the is a rock bottom break has good topography but rarely sees the size and direction surf necessary to make it work (see satellite image). It can be a great but eerily isolated spot in the Fall and Winter. Note: get there really early in the summer months because the parking fills up extremely quickly. The beach is closed during the late spring for Piping Plover nesting season (usually ends late July).
Hazards: Isolated spot in the winter.
Localism: None.
Parking: Lots at $5 to $12 that fill up quickly.
Links to Check Before You Go:

-Terraserver Topographic Map (use zoom function to see ocean depths)
-Terraserver Aerial Photo

Long Beach, Rockport

Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate.
Wave Type: Beach Break.
Best Swell Direction: E or SE.
Best Wind Direction: N to WSW.
Best Tide: Low to Mid (incoming).
Swell Direction Range: E to ESE (and SSE if big and NE on big Noreasters).
Surfable Break Size: Knee plus.
Bottom Type: Sand (with rocks at both ends of the beach).

Comments: Both this break and Good Harbor are more consistent than generally thought. As with most beach breaks the paddle out can be a challenge if waves are big but the channel close to the rocks on the right side is a great help. However, surfing is forbidden 9 to 5 in the summer months (June through August), while lifeguards are on duty. The beach also gets extremely crowded with tourists if the weather is good.
Hazards: Lack of parking.
Localism: A few well-known and ill-liked troublemakers.
Parking: A couple small lots at $5-$10 (weekdays-weekends).
Links to Check Before You Go:

-Terraserver Topographic Map (use zoom function to see ocean depths)
-Terraserver Aerial Photo

Good Harbor, Gloucester

Skill Level: Beginner to advanced.
Wave Type: Beach Break.
Best Swell Direction: ESE.
Best Wind Direction: N to WSW.
Best Tide: Mid to high tide (incoming).
Swell Direction Range: E to ESE (and SSE if big and NE on big Noreasters).
Surfable Break Size: Knee plus.
Bottom Type: Sand (with rocky outcroppings at either end of the beach).

Comments: Both this break and Long Beach are more consistent than generally thought (even though the Cape blocks some of the swells). This spot can get quite steep and is not suitable for a beginner if bigger than waist to chest. As with most beach breaks the paddle out can be a challenge if waves are big.
Note: surf is forbidden 9 to 5 in the summer months (June through August), while lifeguards are on duty. The beach also gets extremely crowded with tourists if the weather is good.
Hazards: The paddle out in big surf.
Localism: None known of.
Parking: A large lot ($15 on season) nearby.
Links to Check Before You Go:

-Terraserver Topographic Map (use zoom function to see ocean depths)
-Terraserver Aerial Photo