Surf Forecasts:
Brighton surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, SSW swell with 200 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Brighton this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Brighton in the next 16 days are 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Brighton over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about the stretch ahead for Brighton. I’ll be straight with you – this 16-day window is a long, quiet slog, and most of the time the surf looks pretty average. The water temp is sitting at 70° which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t need a thick wetsuit.
The first sniff of anything worth paddling out for doesn’t come until the morning of Friday the 4th of September. That’s a solid 7ft southwest swell (7 seconds period), with a strong offshore breeze from the north at 25 mph. Combined wave energy is pumping at 503 – that’s strong stuff. But the period is short, so the waves will be a bit dumpy and fat, only for experienced surfers. The wind is offshore though, so the face will be clean. The morning of the 5th of September looks a bit friendlier: 4ft from the west-southwest (7 seconds) with a moderate offshore breeze from the north-northwest at 16 mph. Energy is still strong at 301. That’s the pick of the bunch – the best on offer, but still not a world-beater. The southwest swell direction is what Brighton likes, and the offshore wind will keep it clean. Just be aware this spot is inconsistent, so it’s not a given.
Before that, there’s a long gap of dead days. From now through to the end of August, the surf is tiny, messy, or blown out. The 28th of August has a bit of size – 7ft southwest swell – but the wind is a strong cross-onshore at 28 mph, and it’s a beach/pier setup, so that’s a kite-surfing day, not a paddle-surfing one. The rest of the first week is full of small, short-period dribble with onshore or cross-shore wind. The second week picks up a little, but the 2nd of September shows 7ft southwest swell (7 seconds) with a moderate cross-shore wind from the east at 16 mph – energy at 370, but the wind direction keeps it lumpy. The 4th and 5th are the only real standouts, and they’re still a week and a half away, so treat that forecast with a pinch of salt. Brighton is inconsistent, so a blank run like this isn’t unusual. If you’re desperate, the 5th of September morning is the best bet – but don’t expect a classic.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Mon afternoon, light winds from the NE by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 12 | ESE 4 | SW 9 | ENE 4 | E 2 | W 8 | SW 8 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 5 | W 5 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 19 | 13 | 42 | 43 | 78 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:55PM4.06m | 6:35AM3.80m | 7:20PM3.84m | 8:24AM3.75m | 9:03PM3.93m | 9:48AM4.00m | 10:08PM4.23m | 10:39AM4.36m | 10:53PM4.58m | 11:18AM4.75m | 11:29PM4.93m | 11:52AM5.11m | 00:03AM5.25m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:58AM1.87m | 00:39AM1.95m | 1:10PM2.08m | 1:56AM2.02m | 2:29PM2.07m | 3:10AM1.86m | 3:38PM1.87m | 4:10AM1.56m | 4:33PM1.55m | 4:57AM1.19m | 5:16PM1.21m | 5:36AM0.83m | 5:54PM0.89m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | |  | |  |  |  | | | |
 | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:57 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | — | — | W 9 | SW 12 | SW 10 | SW 9 | — | — | W 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | W 8 | SW 4 | WSW 7 | — | SW 10 |
| kJ | 15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 2 | 6 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 10 | — | 4 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | — | SW 6 | W 8 | — | W 5 | W 9 | — | W 12 | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 15 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 3 | — | NE 2 | NNE 3 | — | — | E 3 | — | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | E 4 | ENE 4 | E 2 | — | — | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | — | SW 5 | SW 5 | W 5 |
| kJ | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 1 | — | — | 14 | 19 | — | 42 | 43 | 78 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 287 | 181 | 233 | 233 | 406 | 205 | 241 | 309 | 308 | 638 | 349 | 126 | 349 | 369 | 250 | 188 | 234 | 101 | 406 | 406 | 432 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Coast of England | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Brighton Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Brighton provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Brighton can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Brighton 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 (Brighton) 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 Brighton 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.
Brighton is 1 km (1 miles) from the city of Rottingdean. If you plan a holiday in South Coast of England, look for hotels and other accommodation in Rottingdean. Rottingdean has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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