Fairhaven Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s showing up down at Fairhaven. This isn’t a classic run of perfection, but there are a few windows where it could come together real nice.

The first few days, starting Sunday the 16th, are pretty ordinary. We’ve got a decent sized SW groundswell rolling in, around 7ft to 7ft, with a long 14-second period. But that cross-on ESE wind is ruining it – makes things a little lumpy and questionable. The combined swell energy is strong at 1641, but it doesn’t mean much when the wind’s messing with the face.

Monday the 17th morning is the first real spark. The swell drops a touch to 6ft, still from the SW with a 14-second period, but the wind goes light cross-offshore from the east. That’s clean. The file says “expect very good surf conditions” and you can feel it – smooth lines, less chop. The energy is still solid at 1250. This is a good session for a beginner-friendly wave that’s got some push. Water temp is about average for this time of year.

Tuesday the 18th keeps that clean theme going in the morning. Swell down to 5ft SW with 14-seconds, cross-offshore NNE wind at 15 km/h. It’s clean, the energy is moderate at 1179. Not a standout but a solid, user-friendly option.

Now, we hit a bit of a lull from Wednesday the 19th through Thursday the 20th. Swell drops right off, under 3ft. Light winds keep it clean at times, but there’s just not enough push. The energy reading is weak, down around 322 on Wednesday afternoon. Not worth paddling out for.

Friday the 21st is where the pulse comes back. A solid SW groundswell at 6ft with a 15-second period, cross-offshore NW wind at 20 km/h. The combined energy is strong, 2028 in the morning, and the conditions are clean. This is shaping up to be the best session of the first week. The period is long enough to give the waves some shape and power, and that offshore wind will have the faces looking polished.

But hold on, because Saturday the 22nd sees a big jump in size. The morning has 10ft SW swell with a 15-second period, and the combined energy is a huge 4729. The problem? The wind swings cross-shore from the west at 20 km/h, making it messy. And more importantly, that 10ft is too big for Fairhaven, which is a beginner spot. In the afternoon it hits 12ft with 14-seconds – the file even flat out says the swell is too big for this break. That wave is only for experts, and even then, the cross-shore wind will make it a washing machine.

Sunday the 23rd stays oversized, with 10ft to 12ft and strong energy (4327 to 9193). The wind improves to cross-offshore from the NW, so it will be clean, but at that size it’s still an expert-only zone. Monday the 24th morning is still too big at 12ft, then the wind shifts onshore from the SSW in the afternoon and it turns into a complete mess. Tuesday the 25th through the 27th is a write-off – straight onshore winds from the south, rain, and lumpy surf. The score is zero through this stretch. Avoid it entirely.

Then, out of nowhere, we get a glimmer. Friday the 28th morning. The swell has dropped back to a manageable 5ft SW with a juicy 16-second period. And the wind? Glassy. Completely flat calm from the north at 5 km/h. Combined energy is a solid 980. The file calls it “very good surf conditions.” After that run of bad weather and oversized slop, this will feel like a gift. That’s the true standout of the whole outlook. It’s clean, the period is long, and the size is perfect for Fairhaven.

Saturday the 29th morning is still decent, with 4ft WSW swell, glassy conditions, but the period drops to 13 seconds. Then it gets sloppy in the afternoon. Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st are mostly blown out or marginal again, with strong onshore winds and choppy conditions.

So, the one to circle on your calendar: Friday morning, the 28th of August. That’s clean, shoulder-high, glassy, and full of energy. The long period will make for some nice, pushy lines. Get on it.

Rusty

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