Fairhaven Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s have a look at what’s shaping up.

First off, we’ve got a tricky run ahead. The surf window starts on Saturday morning, July 11, but don’t get too excited. The early part of the weekend teases you with potential, then we get slammed by some real heavy hitters that are way too big for the spot before things settle into a nice groove. The combined swell energy is moderate to strong, sitting at 653 early on, but by Sunday morning it’s jumping to an intense 2970, and by Monday it hits a massive 23964. There’s a big gap of a few days in the middle where the swell is just too wild for paddling, then the second week brings cleaner, more manageable conditions.

Let’s start with Fairhaven. Saturday morning, the 11th, gives us a 4 ft SW swell at 14 seconds – solid groundswell with a long period. Wind is offshore from the north at 12 mph, which makes for clean, lined-up waves. This is the pick of the early action. The water temp is 58°F, which is about 1°F warmer than average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there. The combined energy is 653. It’s a beginner break, but it *rarely breaks*, so when it does, you want to be on it. Crowds are *often* here, so expect company.

Saturday afternoon the swell drops a touch to 4 ft, but the wind picks up to 19 mph offshore. Still clean, but the tide might make things a bit ordinary.

Sunday, July 12, things go big quick. The morning brings a 10 ft WSW swell with combined energy of 2970. That’s already big, but by the afternoon it's 12 ft with 3890. This is pushing way past beginner territory – this is expert-only, and even then, it’s probably too big for Fairhaven. The wind is cross-off, so it’s not junky, but the size is the problem.

Monday, July 13, is pure madness. Morning sees 20 ft WSW swell at 15 seconds – combined energy of 23964. That’s not surf for anyone but the absolute insane, and even then, Fairhaven just can’t handle it. The afternoon is still massive at 15 ft with 8823 energy. A no-go.

Tuesday, July 14, stays huge. 15 ft SW all day, with energy in the 14-17,000 range. The wind goes cross-shore from the WSW and WSW, so it’ll be bumpy and messy on top of the size. Not a paddle day.

Wednesday, July 15, is where it starts to get better. The swell drops to 10 ft on the morning, combined energy 3031, with light NW cross-off wind at 6 mph. This is clean and powerful – excellent for experienced surfers. By the afternoon it's 8 ft SW with 2195 energy – still solid, still clean. This is a standout window for the crew with some balls.

Thursday, July 16, is the real gem. Morning has 7 ft SW swell at 14 seconds with light cross-off wind – energy 1797. Then Thursday afternoon? Glassy. Flat calm, sea breeze from the SE at 3 mph, 7 ft SW at 14 seconds – energy 1814. This is the best of the whole run. Clean, long period groundswell, manageable size, and zero wind. Pristine.

Friday, July 17, stays excellent. 10 ft SW at 16 seconds – very long period groundswell – combined energy 4337. Light cross-off wind in the morning, then a light offshore from the NE in the afternoon. This swell direction (SW) matches the optimum for Fairhaven, so the waves will have shape and power. Keep in mind that a 16 second period is prone to breaking straight at a beach break, but Fairhaven can handle it with the right bank.

Saturday, July 18, is a good solid option. 5 ft SW and 5 ft SW through the day, light offshore and cross-off winds, energy in the 674-964 range. Clean, fun, not too big for the beginners and rarely break angle.

Sunday, July 19, brings a curious one – 4 ft SW but with a 19 second period! That’s an incredibly long period – combined energy is 1173. Wind is offshore at 16 mph, so it’s clean, but that kind of period will make the sets very far apart and the wave face very straight. A reef or point would love it, but a beach break might have you waiting. Still, it’s interesting.

Monday, July 20, and Tuesday, July 21, are a mixed bag. Light winds and small swell on Monday (5-5 ft), but some rain and cross-onshore. Tuesday afternoon is a standout – glassy conditions with 7 ft WSW at 12 seconds, energy 2269. That’s clean and punchy.

Wednesday, July 22, has 6 ft SW in the morning with light offshore wind – clean but not huge. Afternoon offers 8 ft WSW at 11 seconds – again good shape and clean.

Now, Thursday, July 23, we get another big pulse. 13 ft SW at 16 seconds – combined energy 7080. That’s too big for Fairhaven, and with offshore wind, it’ll be a wall of whitewater. Stay on the beach.

Friday, July 24, is still big – 10 ft SW at 16 seconds, energy 4808 – but the wind is fresh offshore, so if you’re an expert with big-wave gear, maybe a look. But the data says it’s marginal.

The rest of the week, from July 25 to July 27, sees the swell drop back to 5-7 ft SW, but the winds are stronger – 19 mph cross-off on Saturday, 22 mph on Sunday. That’s a wind-swept, choppy mess. Combined energies are falling below 2000. Not worth the paddle.

Summary: The two true standouts are Thursday afternoon, July 16 – glassy 7 ft SW at 14 seconds, energy 1814 – and Wednesday, July 15 – clean 8-10 ft SW at 14 seconds with light wind. Get on those.

Rusty.

Read more