Barvas (Lewis) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get stuck into it. This is Rusty, checking in from the surf.

First up, we’ve got a bit of a tough run here. The next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for Barvas (Lewis). The pattern is all onshore wind and messy, choppy waves. You’ll be fighting a lot of wind and not getting much reward for it. The water temp is sitting at 58°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing your toes off.

The first few days, from Sunday the 19th through to Thursday the 23rd, are a write-off. We’re looking at a weak, short-period swell around 3 ft to 5 ft, all from the WNW or NW, with moderate to fresh onshore winds. The combined energy is low, between 142 and 205 (weak), so there’s just no power in the water. It’s all poor surf conditions.

Things don’t get much better. Friday the 24th sees a bit more size, with swell climbing to 7 ft to 8 ft from the W, and the combined energy jumps to 697 – 774 (moderate). But the wind is still strong and cross-onshore, making it lumpy and unappealing. Still a hard pass.

Now, Saturday the 25th is the only real standout in the whole forecast. The morning shows a 8 ft swell from the WNW with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy hits 1245 (strong). The wind is just a gentle 9 mph onshore breeze. It’s still onshore, so it won’t be glassy, but it’s the cleanest we’ll see for a while. This is the best option on offer, but it’s only a marginal call – tide conditions might be tricky. After that, it goes straight back to poor.

Sunday the 26th through Monday the 27th: the swell holds around 7 ft to 8 ft, with moderate to fresh cross-onshore winds again. The energy is strong (747 – 1247), but it’s all wind-affected and messy.

Then we hit a really big spell on Tuesday the 28th. A massive 16 ft WNW swell rolls in with a long 11-second period, giving a combined energy of 6622 (very strong). But the wind is a roaring 22 mph onshore, and it’s a solid 28 mph in the afternoon. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s going to be a washing machine. For most of us, it’s a day to watch from the shore.

The rest of the week into early August is a repeat of the same story: moderate to strong onshore winds, poor surf conditions, and a combined energy that drops back to moderate (240 – 560). The consistency is “fairly consistent” for Barvas, but the quality is just not there.

So, bottom line: there’s no good surf in this 16-day window. The only chance you’ve got is the morning of Saturday the 25th, but even that is a marginal call. It’s a blank run for the area, which is a bummer, but it happens. Keep an eye on the charts – things can change.

Rusty.

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