Surf Forecasts:
Eastbourne surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 6s period, WSW swell with 261 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period with WSW 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 1.1m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Eastbourne in the next 16 days are 1.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Eastbourne over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I'm going to be honest with you—this one's a tough ask. Eastbourne is looking pretty much dead in the water for the entire 16-day outlook. There's a long, empty stretch at the start with nothing worth mentioning.
From Thursday the 20th through to Friday the 28th, it's just a run of poor surf. The waves are tiny, weak, and the wind is all over the place, mostly cross-shore or onshore. The only thing that's notable is the water temperature: 71°F, which is a crazy 8°F above the norm for this time of year. That's a real warm anomaly.
The first real sign of life hits on Saturday the 29th of August. The morning brings a 10ft swell from the SW with a 9-second period, and the combined energy is a strong 1129. The wind is offshore from the WNW at 12 mph, so it's clean. But the surf quality is only marginal, with tide issues. It's a big, powerful wave that's definitely for experts only. The afternoon stays big at 10ft, but the period drops to 8 seconds and the wind cranks to 18 mph from the WSW, making it messy.
After that, it's back to poor conditions. There's a tiny window on Tuesday, September 1st, with a 5ft S swell, but the period is a short 5 seconds and the energy is weak at 118. The wind is light from the W, so it's clean, but that's about it. Honestly, there's nothing here that would make me wax a board for. It's a dry spell, and sometimes that's just the way it goes.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu afternoon, calm by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the ENE on Mon afternoon, calm by Tue night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | ||||||||||||||
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 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 9 | WSW 4 | W 8 | WSW 5 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | ESE 2 | ESE 4 | E 4 | ENE 4 | ESE 3 | S 3 | SSW 3 | SW 5 | SW 4 | SW 6 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 139 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 25 | 16 | 17 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 11:35PM1.82m | 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 | ||||||||
— | — | 5:54 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 12 |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 4 | SW 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 3 | W 5 | W 9 | — | SW 10 | SW 9 | — | — | — | NE 6 | W 8 | SW 4 | SW 6 |
— | 85 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 16 | 17 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 9 | — | WSW 8 | SW 4 | — | — | W 9 | W 5 | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | W 8 | W 8 | SSE 4 | — |
— | — | 15 | — | 7 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 9 | — | W 8 | N 3 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 3 | W 8 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 15 | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | N 3 | W 6 | NNE 3 | N 3 | — | — | E 3 | — | ESE 2 | ESE 4 | E 4 | ENE 4 | ESE 3 | SSE 3 | SSW 3 | SW 5 | — | ENE 2 |
183 | 139 | 3 | 18 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 25 | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 366 | 26 | 313 | 198 | 198 | 249 | 410 | 233 | 233 | 287 | 326 | 435 | 345 | 412 | 412 | 394 | 377 | 411 | 198 | 172 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Coast of England | ||||||||||||||||||||
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 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.











