Fairhaven Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, checking in on the Fairhaven forecast. We've got a wild 16 days ahead, so let's get into it.

The outlook kicks off this Wednesday, the 22nd of July, with a bit of a mixed bag. The swell is building, but it's not quite ready to deliver. Wednesday morning you've got a 4ft SW swell, period of 12 seconds, and the combined wave energy is moderate (520). Problem is the wind is a cross-off from the WNW at 12 mph, which keeps things clean, but the report says marginal surf due to tide. Not worth paddling out for. Wednesday afternoon gets worse, with rain showers, cross-on wind, and the swell jumps to 5ft but it's messy and poor.

Now, Thursday the 23rd through Saturday the 25th is where things get serious, but it's not for everyone. The swell absolutely pumps, starting at 13ft on Thursday morning and peaking at 16ft on Friday morning, all from the SW. This is strong to very strong wave energy, with readings like 11399 and 18326. The period is a long 14-15 seconds, so it's proper groundswell. The winds are clean cross or cross-off. But here's the thing: at over 8ft, this is expert-only territory. It's too big for beginners. Fairhaven is a beach break, and a long-period swell like this can make it dumpy and straight. For the experienced crew, it's on, but even then, it's a handful.

The surf drops a bit on Sunday the 26th of July. Sunday morning is 7ft from the SW, but the report says marginal. The standout is Sunday afternoon: 6ft of SW swell, period 11 seconds, clean cross-off wind from the WNW at 6 mph, and the report says "expect very good surf conditions." The wave energy is moderate (758). This is a solid, fun option for a wider range of surfers.

Monday the 27th has a bit of a morning lull, but Monday afternoon picks up again with a 8ft SW swell, 12-second period, clean cross-off wind, and the report calls it "excellent for experienced surfers." Wave energy is moderate (1626). Tuesday the 28th morning is even bigger at 10ft, but with a 15-second period and clean cross-off wind. That's big, powerful, and clean again for experts only.

We get a bit of a sloppy spell from Wednesday the 29th of July through Thursday the 30th, with onshore winds and choppy conditions. The swell is 10ft and 7ft, but the wind is trash, so it's a no-go for paddle surfing. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing.

Friday the 31st of July is a nice return to form. Both morning and afternoon have 5ft SW swell, but the afternoon is the pick with a 14-second period and clean cross-off wind. Wave energy is 848. The report says "very good surf conditions." That's a solid session.

Now, the real standout for the whole forecast is the first weekend of August. Saturday the 1st of August is a dream. Morning has 3ft of SW swell, but the period is a massive 19 seconds, and the wind is offshore from the N at 9 mph. The wave energy is moderate (1031). The report says "very good surf conditions." But the afternoon is the crown jewel: 6ft SW swell, 17-second period, and the same offshore wind from the N. The report calls it "excellent for experienced surfers," and the wave energy is 1860. This is clean, lined-up, powerful groundswell. For a beach break, that long period can be a bit walled, but with offshore wind, it should be rifling. This is the best on offer.

Sunday the 2nd of August keeps the quality going. Morning has 6ft, 15-second period, and clean cross-off wind. Afternoon has 6ft, 16-second period, with offshore wind. Both are "excellent" for experienced surfers. The water temperature is about 58°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so a wetsuit is the order of the day.

Monday the 3rd of August serves up a final standout. The afternoon session has a 7ft SW swell, but the period jumps to 20 seconds, and the wind is clean cross-off. The wave energy is strong (5800), and the report says "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That's a long-period bomb.

After that, Tuesday the 4th through Thursday the 6th of August sees the swell stay big and the wind turn onshore or cross-shore, making it either too big for the break or choppy and messy. The run ends on Thursday the 6th with a 4ft SW swell and 18-second period, but cross-on wind ruins it.

Remember, Fairhaven rarely breaks, so when it's on, it's a treat. The crowds can be often, so expect company. The near-term calls are solid, but that first weekend of August is a long-range promise that could be absolutely epic. Don't sleep on it.

Rusty.

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