Fairhaven Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty checkin' in from Fairhaven. Let's have a look at what the next couple of weeks have in store for us.

Fairhaven is a bit of a wildcard spot, a rare-breaking beginner zone that usually needs everything to line up just right. Looks like we’re in for a bit of a quiet spell right now before things get interesting.

The water temp here is sittin’ right around 57°F, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Right now, the swell is small. We’ve got some 3-foot SW groundswell with a long 15-second period, but the energy is still weak at around 309. The wind is a fresh offshore from the NNE, so it’s clean, but there’s just not enough push. It’s marginal stuff for Wednesday, best left for the longboard if you’re keen for a paddle.

Thursday morning sees things drop a little more to 2 feet, but that 17-second period is proper long. The combined energy is risin’ though, up to a moderate 453. It’s still on the small side of things. By Thursday afternoon, we get a touch more size at 3 feet from the WSW, with that energy jumpin' to 592. Winds are a gentle cross-offshore, so it stays clean. Not a standout, but a nice little window for a session.

Now, Friday the 21st is where the ocean wakes up. That morning we’ve got 10 feet of WSW swell, 15-second period, and the combined energy is a massive 4682 – strong stuff. It’s clean with a light cross-offshore breeze. That afternoon punches in even harder at 10 feet and energy of 4851. This is proper expert territory. The break is rarely breaking, so when it does fire like this, it’s a true event. But for the average surfer, this is a “watch from the sand” day. The size is over 8 feet, so only the experienced crew should be out there.

Saturday the 22nd stays big, 8 feet, but the wind shifts cross-shore, and it’s not as clean. The energy is still strong at 3482. It’s still big and a bit bumpy. Might be a day for the guys on bigger boards or even a look for the kites.

Sunday the 23rd is the real gem. We’ve got 8 feet of SW swell, still solid, but clean with a light offshore. By Sunday afternoon, it drops just slightly to 7 feet, but the wind goes glassy. Absolute glass. That combined energy sits at 2335, so there's plenty of push. This is a top pick for experienced surfers. The waves will be clean, lined up, and with that long period, they’ll wrap in nicely. This is the best of the first week.

We then hit a bit of a lull from Monday the 24th through the end of the week. Monday and Tuesday are smaller, around 5 to 6 feet, but with a cross-offshore wind, they’re rideable. Tuesday afternoon gets a bit choppy with a cross-onshore.

Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are poor. The swell drops off and the wind is onshore or strong. Not worth a paddle.

Then, lookin’ out further, we’ve got another big pulse comin’. Friday the 28th of August is a monster. 12 feet in the morning, 13 feet in the afternoon, with a 16-17 second period. The energy is off the charts – 7226 in the mornin’, and a massive 13936 in the arvo. The wind is clean offshore. But, and this is a big but, it’s too big for Fairhaven. This spot just can’t hold that size. It’s a dedicated big-wave paddle-out for experts only if you know the channel.

That big swell fades through Saturday the 29th with onshore winds making a mess of it.

We round out the period on a nice note. From Sunday the 30th through the start of September, we get a return to cleaner, more manageable conditions. Monday the 31st of August is a beauty: clean offshore winds, 6 feet of SW swell, good energy at 1957. And then Thursday the 3rd of September offers a glassy session with 6 feet of long-period swell, energy at 1955. These are the best bets for the intermediate crowd toward the end of the run.

So, to sum it up: Sunday the 23rd of August is your absolute standout for experienced surfers – that glassy afternoon session will be memorable. For the second week, Monday the 31st of August is the pick for clean, solid waves without the crazy size. Just remember, Fairhaven rarely breaks, so when it does, you gotta be on it.

Rusty.

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