Surf Forecasts:
Barvas (Lewis) surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 24 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,484 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 24 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Barvas (Lewis) this week:
The surf forecast for Barvas (Lewis) over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Barvas (Lewis) in the next 16 days are 2.5m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 24th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Barvas (Lewis) over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about Barvas.
There’s a bit of a wait for the good stuff. The main event kicks off Wednesday morning, August 19. You’ve got a 6ft swell rolling in from the west with a 10-second period – that’s proper groundswell, got some energy behind it. The combined swell energy is sitting at 758, which is moderate but solid. The wind is light offshore from the ESE at 6 mph – that’s glassy, clean conditions. This is the standout session. Water temp is 58°, about average for this time of year. Barvas is a reef break, and with that offshore wind, it’ll hold shape nicely. Crowds are rare, so you’ll likely have it to yourself.
Wednesday afternoon, the wind swings to a fresh NE at 22 mph – cross-off, but energy drops and it’s only marginal.
Thursday, August 20, is a no-go. Northerly winds at 19-22 mph, cross to cross-on, lumpy and chopped up. The swell is 7ft but with a short 8-second period – ugly.
Friday, August 21, is more cross-onshore garbage. Nothing worth paddling out for.
Saturday, August 22, has a brief clean morning window with offshore wind from the WNW at 12 mph, but the swell is only 4ft and the energy is dropping. Afternoon goes cross-on again.
Sunday, August 23, is all cross-onshore and choppy – skip it.
Monday, August 24 – this is another highlight. Morning shows a 8ft west swell with a long 11-second period. Combined energy jumps to 1310 – that’s strong, powerful. Wind is light S at 16 mph, cross-off, so the face is clean. This is expert territory – over 8ft is serious. If you’ve got the experience, this morning is the second best of the whole forecast.
Tuesday, August 25, is small but clean – light cross-off wind, waves around 4ft. Easy paddling, fun for beginners.
From Wednesday, August 26, the swell drops right off – tiny 2ft waves, energy in the 60s and 90s. By Thursday, August 27, the wind pipes up from the SSW at 22 mph – fresh cross-shore, lumpy. Better for kite-surfing at that point.
Friday, August 28, through the end of the month is mostly small and messy. A few clean moments on Saturday, August 29, morning with barely 2ft waves. Not worth the trip.
Wednesday, September 2 – long range but worth noting. Morning shows a 8ft WNW swell with 8-second period, combined energy 760. Wind is light NNW at 9 mph, cross-on, so a bit choppy but still surfable for the crew who don’t mind a little texture.
Then Thursday, September 3 – the final gem. Morning has a 4ft west swell with 9-second period, and the wind goes glassy offshore from the ESE at just 3 mph. Afternoon is even better: glassy conditions with a light WNW breeze at 3 mph. That’s clean, lined-up reef surfing. The energy is low-moderate at 318, but on a reef like Barvas, that’s enough.
So, the best is Wednesday, August 19, morning. Second best is Monday, August 24, morning for the big-wave crew, and then Thursday, September 3, morning for clean small waves. Keep an eye on that last one – it’s promising.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Very mild (max 14°C on Wed morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 13°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
682 | 384 | 482 | 539 | 629 | 813 | 554 | 446 | 443 | 299 | 199 | 113 | 163 | 408 | 554 | 1289 | 884 | 625 | 322 | 274 | 130 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:59AM2.82m | 00:19AM2.73m | 12:49PM2.60m | 1:21AM2.47m | 2:02PM2.43m | 2:51AM2.33m | 3:36PM2.41m | 4:26AM2.38m | 4:56PM2.56m | 5:32AM2.55m | 5:49PM2.79m | 6:18AM2.75m | 6:28PM3.04m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:02PM1.00m | 6:27AM1.10m | 6:56PM1.24m | 7:28AM1.34m | 8:22PM1.40m | 9:07AM1.45m | 10:10PM1.37m | 10:40AM1.35m | 11:22PM1.17m | 11:37AM1.15m | 00:09AM0.93m | 12:18PM0.94m | 00:45AM0.67m | ||||||||
5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:45 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 12 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | WNW 7 | NNE 8 | WNW 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 |
682 | 384 | 158 | 89 | 60 | 23 | 554 | 446 | 443 | 299 | 199 | 113 | 163 | 43 | 554 | 1289 | 884 | 625 | 322 | 274 | 130 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 7 | W 18 | W 17 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 8 | WSW 9 | WNW 5 | WSW 8 | NNW 6 | WSW 9 | NNE 8 | SW 15 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNW 12 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | WNW 10 | E 6 |
64 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 22 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 20 | 15 | 59 | 9 | 22 | 5 | 14 | 34 | 28 | 38 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | W 15 | W 8 | WSW 8 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 9 | NW 11 | W 15 | SW 16 | NNW 13 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NW 11 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 |
12 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 17 | 19 | 5 | 9 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 30 | 16 | 15 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | — | WNW 5 | — | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | — | WNW 9 | SSW 4 | S 4 | S 4 | — | ESE 3 | E 6 | — |
— | 335 | 482 | 539 | 629 | 813 | — | 4 | — | 22 | 64 | 107 | — | 408 | 11 | 15 | 4 | — | 4 | 17 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 278 | 299 | 755 | 1392 | 312 | 357 | 319 | 107 | 305 | 305 | 298 | 107 | 107 | 107 | 107 | 106 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Outer Hebrides | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Barvas (Lewis) Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Barvas (Lewis) provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Barvas (Lewis) can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Barvas (Lewis) surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Barvas (Lewis)) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Barvas (Lewis) may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Are you planning a holiday in Outer Hebrides? If you are looking for accommodation near Barvas (Lewis), camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Outer Hebrides, consider staying in Stornoway which is 20 km (12 miles) away.











