
Surf Forecasts:
Crab Island surf forecast from 13 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 7s period, WSW swell with 657 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Crab Island this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Crab Island in the next 16 days are 2.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 8ft (2.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Crab Island over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a yarn about what’s comin’ up. It’s a bit of a flat spell, to be honest, so don’t rush to grab your board just yet.
We’ve got one break in the mix: Crab Island, a reef setup that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the swell. The water’s sitting at 66°, which is a massive 6° warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual, almost tropical. But for the next week and a bit, the surf just isn’t playing the game.
From Sunday 13th September right through to Monday 21st September, there’s nothin’ worth paddling out for. Scores are flat zero, and the wave comment keeps tellin’ us “poor surf conditions.” The swell’s tiny or messy, with cross-onshore and choppy winds. Even the biggest energy reading in that stretch is only moderate – around 492 (moderate wave energy) – but with 7ft of WSW swell and strong cross-onshore wind at 25 mph, it’s just a messy, lumpy mess. Not for paddle surfing; that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing.
Tuesday 22nd September morning finally shows a little pulse – 4ft from the west, period 7 seconds, combined energy 158 (moderate wave energy). Winds are light and cross-off, so it’s clean. But it’s still “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” so don’t expect any standouts.
From Wednesday 23rd September afternoon right through to Monday 28th September, the swell drops right off. Heights fall below 3ft, energy readings are weak (single or low double digits), and while there are a few glassy windows – like Wednesday 23rd afternoon with 2ft and glassy conditions – the waves are just too small to bother with.
There’s no standout session in this whole 16-day outlook. The only flicker of hope is Tuesday 22nd September morning at Crab Island, but it’s nothin’ to write home about. Hang tight – forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon night, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the WNW by Tue morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 17°C on Fri afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Wed night, strong winds from the WSW by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 7 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | W 7 | WSW 8 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 5 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
137 | 295 | 153 | 151 | 172 | 80 | 186 | 208 | 207 | 415 | 284 | 102 | 257 | 245 | 320 | 247 | 339 | 512 | 498 | 482 | 302 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:46PM9.69m | 9:03AM9.43m | 9:17PM9.39m | 9:32AM9.11m | 9:45PM8.97m | 10:00AM8.68m | 10:13PM8.45m | 10:28AM8.16m | 10:42PM7.86m | 11:00AM7.58m | 11:19PM7.23m | 11:50AM6.98m | 00:25AM6.64m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:30PM0.99m | 2:51AM1.13m | 2:58PM1.20m | 3:16AM1.44m | 3:26PM1.54m | 3:42AM1.85m | 3:54PM2.00m | 4:07AM2.35m | 4:23PM2.56m | 4:36AM2.93m | 5:00PM3.19m | 5:15AM3.56m | 6:01PM3.82m | ||||||||
6:46 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | |
— | 7:36 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:23 | — | — | 7:22 | — | |
mm | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Feels °C | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | — | WSW 8 | W 11 | W 9 | WSW 8 | W 10 | — | W 10 | W 7 | — | W 9 | W 7 | — | W 12 | — | — | W 8 |
68 | 197 | 153 | 90 | — | 24 | 9 | 54 | 207 | 120 | — | 50 | 257 | — | 108 | 246 | — | 12 | — | — | 291 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 7 | WSW 10 | — | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | W 7 | NW 4 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 5 | — | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 |
137 | 295 | — | 151 | 172 | 80 | 186 | 208 | 10 | 415 | 284 | 102 | — | 245 | 320 | 247 | 339 | 512 | 498 | 482 | 302 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 133 | 133 | 133 | 133 | 133 | 133 | 361 | 431 | 151 | 151 | 49 | 320 | 320 | 387 | 49 | 368 | 644 | 644 | 703 | 279 | 138 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wales - Gower | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











