Surf Forecasts:
Crab Island surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 7s period, WSW swell with 517 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Crab Island this week:
The surf forecast for Crab Island over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 15s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 15s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Crab Island in the next 16 days are 2.3m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Crab Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: the next two weeks are a tough watch for any surfer around Crab Island. For the most part, we’re looking at poor surf conditions with only a couple of brief windows where it might be worth paddling out. We kick off on Wednesday, 19th August and head into the first few days with nothing really going on— small, messy, and wind-hit.
The first real glimmer shows up on Thursday morning, 20th August. Swell pushes to about 5ft from the WSW, with a period of 7 seconds meaning it’s a bit weak and jumbled. The moderate cross-off breeze cleans things up though (moderate combined swell energy of 228). Still, the score is marginal at best—tide and quality likely kill it.
Come Friday morning, 21st August, we get a short burst of surf. The swell drops to 2ft from the west, period 8 seconds—so it’s small and a bit weak (energy 67). But a gentle offshore from the NNW has it clean. This is surfable but very ordinary. I wouldn’t get too excited.
From Friday afternoon through the next week and a half, things go pretty flat or blown out. We’re talking mostly under 2ft, with onshore or cross-shore winds and energy readings barely cracking 100. It’s a long, barren run. By the way, the water temperature on day one is sitting at 70°, which is a massive 9° warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual.
The one exception? Friday morning, 28th August. That morning sees 3ft from the WSW at 6 seconds (energy 96) with a cross-off breeze from the NNW making it clean. Again, it’s surfable but ordinary. Not a standout, just a rare chance to get wet.
The only break on the cards is Crab Island—a reef setup that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the SW. It’s an intermediate spot, and crowds can be around sometimes, so don’t expect solitude. The optimum swell direction here is SW, so when that lines up it helps. Honestly though, nothing in this entire 16-day window is worth calling a standout. The best you get is Thursday 20th morning for size and Friday 28th morning for a clean window. Beyond that, you’re waiting.
Hang in there, it tends not to stay this flat for long around here, forecasts can change. I’m Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed afternoon, calm by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, strong winds from the E by Mon night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 5 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | W 7 | WSW 9 | W 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 14 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | ESE 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | SW 13 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 49 | 245 | 220 | 198 | 106 | 50 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 18 | 9 | 7 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:28PM7.89m | 11:51AM7.51m | 00:13AM7.29m | 12:49PM7.00m | 1:23AM6.79m | 2:19PM6.75m | 2:58AM6.69m | 3:48PM7.01m | 4:21AM7.06m | 4:55PM7.57m | 5:22AM7.63m | 5:45PM8.16m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:08PM2.48m | 5:28AM2.83m | 5:52PM3.08m | 6:17AM3.42m | 7:01PM3.61m | 7:43AM3.84m | 8:36PM3.79m | 9:21AM3.79m | 10:00PM3.49m | 10:37AM3.32m | 11:04PM2.94m | 11:31AM2.75m | 11:52PM2.38m | |||||||
 |  |  | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — |
 | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — |
mm | — | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 26 |
Temp °C | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 18 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 16 | SW 16 | WSW 7 | SW 14 | WSW 9 | W 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | SW 8 |
| kJ | 5 | 10 | 220 | 8 | 106 | 50 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 16 | SW 15 | W 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 6 | WNW 4 | SW 15 | SW 15 | — | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 8 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 8 |
| kJ | — | 10 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 8 | — | 8 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 13 | WSW 5 | — | — | SW 15 | W 15 | — | SW 14 | W 14 | W 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 13 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 7 | 3 | — | — | 8 | 4 | — | 8 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | WSW 7 | — | W 7 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | SE 3 |
| kJ | 49 | 245 | — | 198 | 7 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 9 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 320 | 644 | 49 | 320 | 0 | 0 | 253 | 15 | 50 | 202 | 73 | 73 | 190 | 73 | 394 | 319 | 395 | 395 | 320 | 163 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wales - Gower | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Crab Island Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Crab Island provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Crab Island can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Crab Island 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 (Crab Island) 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 Crab Island 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.
Crab Island is 8 km (5 miles) from Swansea. If you plan a holiday in Wales - Gower, look for hotels and other accommodation in Swansea. Swansea has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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