Fairhaven Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve been glued to the charts for Fairhaven. This break is a rare one to get going, a beginner-friendly sandbank that needs everything lined up. The fact it’s even in the conversation is a win, but the first few days are going to test your patience, not your wave count. It’s a beach-break, fairly exposed to the southwest swell window, so the ocean’s got plenty of grunt, but it’s just unloading too much of it at once. Water temp is about average for the season, so no worries there.

We start on Friday, July 3, and it’s a total bust. A massive, long-period groundswell from the WSW at 15 feet and 16 seconds, packing a crushing 10526 combined energy. That’s serious, dangerous power for a beginner spot, and a stiff 30 km/h cross-shore wind is just going to turn it into a lumpy mess. Saturday July 4 is no better – a 12-foot to 10-foot SW swell, cross-onshore winds, and a chop that’ll break your heart. Sunday July 5? More of the same: 13-foot SSW groundswell with 17-second periods. All too big, all too messy.

Then we get a shift. Monday July 6 is where I perk up. The swell drops to 7 feet from the SW, still a long-period groundswell at 14 seconds (1821 energy). The wind turns light offshore from the north in the morning, smoothing it right out. Conditions are clean, but that 7-foot swell is still a solid step up for a beginner break. This is a day for the experienced local. The afternoon drops to 6 feet with a light cross-offshore breeze – still very clean and inviting.

Tuesday July 7 is the real standout. The swell settles at a much more manageable 5 feet from the SW, with a 16-second period (1123 energy). That’s a long-period groundswell, which at a beach break can get a bit straight, but with cross-offshore winds from the NNW at just 5 km/h in the afternoon, it’s glassy perfection. This is your green light – clean, open faces and light winds. Wednesday July 8 is also firing for the experienced crew, with 6-foot to 8-foot SW swell and clean conditions, but Tuesday has the sweet spot.

Thursday July 9 morning is still excellent, with 6-foot SW at 15 seconds and clean cross-off winds. But the afternoon brings a shift to cross-onshore wind and rain, making it choppy. Friday July 10 sees the window open again with a clean morning, 7-foot SW swell, and cross-offshore winds. From Monday to Friday is your window, but by July 11 and 12, the swell fades to 5 feet and lower, and the wind picks up, making it marginal.

There’s a massive spike again on Monday July 13 – a 13-foot SW swell with a 19-second period in the afternoon! That’s a 16125 energy reading, a pure beast. But for a beginner break, that’s way, way too big. Then a period of cleaner, but still large surf from July 14 to 16, with 8-foot to 10-foot SW swells, all with cross-off winds. Thursday July 16 looks good for a strong intermediate, with a clean 10-foot SW swell (3911 energy) in the morning.

The best of the best is Tuesday July 7. Clean, glassy afternoon, 5-foot, 16-second SW swell, cross-offshore winds, and with crowds being “often,” you’ll have company. But for a rare-breaking spot like this, that’s the call.

Rusty.

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