Scituate Harbor is a long left pointbreak that peels over boulders on the south side of the harbor. It starts easy and slow out the back, then steepens and can turn briefly hollow on the inside.
When It Works
The point draws swell from northeast through southeast (NE-SE), with east swell the best match. A southeast swell will sneak around Cape Cod, while a due north swell tends to march right past, so easterly energy is what really turns it on. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 4.6 m / 15 ft and will handle maximum swell, so the bigger days are no problem here. The one time to skip it is high tide, when the point turns miserable. The classic setup is a big east swell on a low, incoming tide.
Wind and Tide
Look for northwest offshore wind. The point works on low and mid tide, with a rising tide the better call, and it is best left alone at high tide.
Local Tips
Expect a crowd at times, and be ready for plenty of water movement, with good rips, swirling currents, and some estuary outflow all in the mix.
Access
Parking is free in winter only, and summer gets tricky thanks to a scarcity of meters. You will find a mix of free, metered, and roadside spots.
