Fairhaven Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking at Fairhaven over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a real gem set for the morning of Friday the 17th. Fairhaven is a rarely breaking spot, so when it lights up, you pay attention. It’s a beginner-friendly break, and we’re looking at a solid 8 ft swell from the southwest with a very long period of 16 seconds. The combined wave energy is a hefty 3259 (strong), and with a light cross-offshore breeze from the north-northwest, the surface will be clean. The water temperature is sitting at 58°F, which is about normal for this time of year. This is the standout of the whole period, but it’s only for experienced surfers given the size. The long period from the southwest is a proper groundswell, and it’ll be lining up nicely here.

The action doesn’t stop there. Saturday the 18th brings in some good surf, with a 6 ft southwest swell in the morning (cross-off breeze) and dropping to 6 ft by the afternoon. The real treat on Saturday is the afternoon session: glassy conditions with a light southeast wind, making for some clean, smooth waves. Swell energy is still moderate to strong (1299 and 1011).

Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th see the swell settle down to 3 ft and 4 ft respectively, with clean, cross-off winds. It’s smaller, but still fun for a beginner. The energy drops to moderate (536 and 721).

Then we get a bit of a lull in quality. From Tuesday the 22nd through to Thursday the 24th, the wind starts to get a cross-shore component, making the surface less than perfect. The swell stays around 4 ft to 8 ft, but the conditions are marginal.

Now, let’s talk about the 24th of July. The swell is forecast to pump up to a massive 16 ft with a combined energy of 13540 (very strong). The wind is cross-offshore and clean. However, this is simply too big for Fairhaven – it’s only for the gnarliest of experts and honestly, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The same goes for the 28th of July, with 13 ft swell and strong winds.

The 27th of July morning is a bright spot for the more experienced crew. A 8 ft southwest swell with a 14-second period, cross-offshore wind, and strong energy (2304) makes for excellent, clean conditions. But again, that’s big for this place.

The last week is a mixed bag. The 30th of July afternoon sees a fresh offshore wind from the north-northwest, cleaning up a 5 ft south-southwest swell. The 31st of July has a long period 18-second swell, but the wind is messy. The 1st of August is a write-off with poor onshore winds and a lumpy surface.

Overall, the best bet for clean, makeable waves is the morning of Friday the 17th if you’re experienced, and Saturday the 18th afternoon for cleaner, smaller waves. The rest of the period has moments, but you’ll need to pick your windows carefully.

Rusty.

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