Fairhaven Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s heading our way for Fairhaven.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a massive pulse of swell coming in. The problem is, it’s way too much of a good thing for this spot. The first few days are a write-off for paddle surfing because the swell is just too big. Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th are seeing serious SW groundswell pushing 12ft to 16ft with a long period of 14 to 15 seconds. The combined swell energy is extreme, hitting between 10,000 and 18,652. That’s a raw, powerful ocean. The wind is cross-shore, so it’s not totally blown out, but at those sizes, Fairhaven is a no-go. This is more of a spectacle than a surf session.

The first real chance to get in the water without being pounded comes on Sunday the 26th. The swell drops to a much more manageable 8ft from the SW, with a period of 11 seconds. The wind swings around to a light WNW, giving us a clean, cross-off breeze. The energy is still moderate (around 2,749), and the conditions are marked as excellent for experienced surfers. If you’re skilled and comfortable, Sunday morning and afternoon will be your best bet of the first week. The water temperature is sitting at 58°F, which is about average for the time of year.

Monday and Tuesday (27th & 28th) are a bit of a mixed bag. The swell is still clean with offshore winds, but the size drops to 6ft to 6ft, and the energy falls off. The forecast notes marginal conditions, so you might get a few, but it’s not a standout.

Then we hit a rough patch. From Wednesday the 29th through to Friday the 31st, strong onshore winds from the S and SSW ruin the surface. The swell is still there, but it’s blown out and messy. This is kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing. The energy remains moderate to strong, but the quality is gone.

The first weekend of August (1st & 2nd) is still a bit lackluster with light onshore winds and marginal conditions. It’s not completely flat, but nothing to get excited about.

Now, here’s the real standout, and it’s a week and a half away, so keep your fingers crossed. Monday the 3rd of August is looking excellent. The forecast shows a 10ft SW swell with a long 17-second period, and a light NW wind (6 mph) creating clean, cross-off conditions. The energy is strong (4,586). This is a proper groundswell, and for a spot like Fairhaven, that long period could mean some really nice, lined-up waves, though it might be a bit straight-breaking at times. This is easily the best window for experienced surfers in the entire outlook.

Following that, Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th hold clean but smaller surf (5ft to 6ft) with light offshore winds. Then on Thursday the 6th, we get another surge of energy (3,698) with a 5ft, 19-second period swell and a light NE breeze. Clean conditions for experienced surfers again.

The main takeaway: The first weekend is a washout from size. The best surf is Sunday the 26th in the first week, and then a clear standout window on Monday the 3rd of August. Keep an eye on the wind for that one.

Rusty.

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