Surf Forecasts:
Eastbourne surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s period, SW swell with 400 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Eastbourne this week:
The surf forecast for Eastbourne over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 6s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Eastbourne in the next 16 days are 2.2m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Eastbourne over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I’ve had a look through the charts for Eastbourne. Mate, I’ve got to be straight with you – this is a tough run. Usually, this stretch can offer up something, but for the next 16 days, it’s looking like a write-off. There’s simply no surf worth paddling out for across this entire period. The numbers are all coming back with zero scores, and the wave comments are all “poor surf conditions.” It’s a real bummer.
We start off with fresh westerly breezes and clear skies, but no swell to work with. That flat spell carries on right through Thursday the 22nd and into the next week. There’s tiny, weak 1 ft to 2 ft slop showing on a couple of days, but the winds are all cross or cross-onshore, making it a choppy, lumpy mess not worth your time.
The only real pulse of energy, if you can call it that, arrives around Wednesday the 26th of August. We see a jump to 6 ft from the SSW, with a combined swell energy reading of 262 (moderate energy), but it’s still carrying a short 6-second period – that’s just windswell, no grunt. The morning has clean conditions with a light offshore wind, but the wave comment is still “poor.” It’ll be mushy and weak.
Later, on Saturday the 30th of August, we get another lift to 7 ft from the SW with moderate energy (316), but again, it’s a short 6-second period. The morning is clean with a cross-offshore breeze, but it’s still being rated as poor. There’s no quality in that pulse. The water is about average for this time of year, so that’s not the issue.
Honestly, if you were hoping for a paddle, you’re out of luck. This setup with the significant swell, poor quality, and onshore winds, combined with a beach setup like Eastbourne, looks far more interesting for a kite surfer than a surfer. Sometimes nature just shuts the door. Forecasts can change, but this blank run is pretty normal for this spot when the winds and swell angles don’t line up.
Keep an eye on it, but don’t hold your breath.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed night, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu morning, light winds from the SE by Sat morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, strong winds from the ENE by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | E 2 | ESE 3 | E 4 | ENE 4 | ESE 4 | SSE 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | WSW 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 101 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 184 | 262 | 115 | 19 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 4:37AM5.08m | 5:00PM4.98m | 5:26AM4.64m | 5:55PM4.57m | 6:36AM4.30m | 7:20PM4.33m | 8:17AM4.24m | 8:55PM4.41m | 9:37AM4.49m | 9:59PM4.73m | 10:29AM4.88m | 10:45PM5.13m | 11:10AM5.32m | 11:23PM5.53m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:05AM1.64m | 11:35PM1.82m | 11:58AM2.01m | 00:35AM2.10m | 1:05PM2.25m | 1:50AM2.22m | 2:25PM2.28m | 3:08AM2.09m | 3:40PM2.08m | 4:14AM1.77m | 4:38PM1.74m | 5:03AM1.37m | 5:24PM1.36m | ||||||||
5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | |
mm | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 8 |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | W 5 | W 9 | — | SW 9 | SW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | NE 6 | — | — | WSW 5 |
— | — | 101 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 19 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | WSW 8 | — | WSW 6 | — | W 9 | W 5 | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 8 | — | — | — | S 5 |
— | — | — | — | 5 | 13 | — | 4 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WSW 9 | — | — | W 8 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 8 |
— | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | SW 6 | — | N 3 | — | N 3 | NNE 3 | — | — | — | SSW 2 | E 2 | ESE 3 | E 4 | ENE 4 | ESE 4 | SSE 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | WSW 5 |
119 | 229 | — | 3 | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 184 | 262 | 115 | 23 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 486 | 366 | 8 | 313 | 198 | 249 | 249 | 218 | 233 | 233 | 410 | 321 | 462 | 396 | 412 | 198 | 345 | 8 | 195 | 249 | 105 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Coast of England | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Eastbourne Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Eastbourne provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Eastbourne can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Eastbourne 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 (Eastbourne) 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 Eastbourne 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.
Eastbourne is 11 km (7 miles) from Hailsham. If you plan a holiday in South Coast of England, look for hotels and other accommodation in Hailsham. Hailsham has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











