Fairhaven Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s coming up for our local region.

We’ve got a bit of a slow start on the cards, but don’t write it off. The first real surf action kicks off Sunday morning, the 19th of July, and it’s a sneaky little opener. We’re looking at a waist-high 3 ft to 3 ft swell from the WSW, with a nice 12 to 13-second period that’ll give them some shape. The water is sitting at 58°, which is about average for this time of year. The real beauty here is the wind – we’ve got glassy conditions on Sunday afternoon, a dead-on light breeze that’ll have the surface looking like a mirror. Fairhaven is the spot, and it’s a beginner-friendly wave, but it only rarely breaks, so you’ve got to pick your moment. This is a solid window for a longboard or a funboard, just keep an eye on the crowds because it can get busy.

Moving into Monday morning, the 20th, the swell picks up a little to 4 ft from the WSW with a longer 16-second period. The wind is still cross-offshore, keeping it clean. The wave energy is building, and it’s looking like a really solid morning session. The standout, without a doubt, is Tuesday the 21st. The morning delivers a 6 ft SW swell with a 13-second period, and the wave energy is cranking. The wind is still cross-off. This is the pick of the first week for anyone who’s comfortable paddling into a head-high plus wave. It’s clean, it’s got push, and the consistency will be there.

Now, things take a turn Wednesday the 22nd. The wind picks up to 16 mph from the NW, and while it’s still cross-off, that moderate breeze will put some texture on it. The swell is 5 ft, but it’s a bit mushy. By Wednesday afternoon, the wind swings onshore and the surf gets choppy. From Thursday the 23rd right through to Saturday the 26th, the swell gets wild. We’re talking 13 ft to 16 ft waves with massive wave energy. That is expert-only territory. The wind is okay in spots, but the size is going to close out the beach and make it a washing machine. It’s more of a kite-surfing show than a paddle session for most.

Sunday the 26th is the big relief. The swell drops to a manageable 8 ft from the SW, and with light cross-off winds from the WNW, it cleans right up. The wave energy is strong. This is an excellent window for experienced surfers, and the quality will be there for a proper, punchy wave. Monday the 27th is smaller again, at 3 ft to 4 ft, but the energy is low, and it’ll be a bit inconsistent.

Tuesday the 28th has a weird one – a solid 13 ft swell, but it’s blowing 25 mph from the NW. For a top-level surfer on a big-wave gun, that offshore flow could make for some insane, clean faces, but it’s dangerous as hell and definitely not for the average bloke.

The last few days of July and into the first of August are pretty grim. Strong onshore winds and lumpy, choppy conditions dominate, with the swell size bouncing around. There’s a brief window on August 3rd with a 5 ft to 6 ft long-period SW swell (18 seconds!), but the wind is howling cross-shore at 16-19 mph, so it’s marginal at best.

So to wrap it up: if you want clean, fun waves, you’re looking at Sunday the 19th through Tuesday the 21st. For the experienced crew, Sunday the 26th is your best bet for clean, sizeable surf. Everything in between is either too big, too windy, or too messy.

Stay salty,
Rusty

Read more