Fairhaven Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, I’ve had a good look at the charts for our region. Let’s get into it, crew.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a massive pulse of swell heading our way, and it’s gonna be a wild ride at Fairhaven. The water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is pretty bog-standard for this time of year, nothing weird going on there.

We start things off on Thursday the 13th and through Friday the 14th with a solid 12ft SW groundswell, and the period is a very long 16 seconds. The energy from all that water is massive (combined energy 6231 and then 5443). The problem is, it’s just too much for this break. It’s gonna be a washing machine for the experienced guys, and not a good time for a beginner. The wind is light cross or cross-onshore, so it’s not even that clean. A pass for me.

Now, Saturday the 15th morning is where it gets interesting. The swell drops back to a still-chunky 10ft from the SW, with that same long 16-second period (combined energy 3813). It’s still big enough that I’d say it’s for experienced surfers only. But the wind? Dead calm. Glassy. That is a rare, beautiful thing. The wave comment says the surf conditions are excellent for those who can handle it. This is a standout moment for the big-wave chargers. The afternoon gets a bit iffy with an onshore breeze.

Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th see the swell easing into the 7ft to 6ft range. Sunday has light cross/cross-onshore winds, which is okay but not perfect. Monday morning is the pick of this smaller window, with a clean 6ft SW swell and a light cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is still decent at 1115. It’s a nice, manageable size for a lot of surfers.

Tuesday the 18th brings in a lovely 5ft SW swell with a 14-second period. The wind goes gentle offshore from the NNE. That’s clean, lined-up surf. Great for a morning session. The energy is moderate (1160). The afternoon gets a bit smaller and cleaner but lighter.

The end of the first week into the second week has some smaller, cleaner swells, but nothing to write home about. Then, from Saturday the 22nd, the ocean starts to get angry again.

We get another massive pulse on Sunday the 23rd with 12ft SW swell and that very long period again (combined energy 6274). It’s too big and the wind is a messy cross-shore. Not worth it. Then Monday the 24th afternoon cranks up to a 13ft WSW beast with a combined energy of 9043. That is pure power. The wind is a fresh cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but this is extreme. For experts only, and even then, you’d want a jet ski. This pattern of huge, powerful swell continues right through to the end of the 16-day window, with the 26th showing a 13ft SW swell with a combined energy of 13783 – that’s an enormous amount of energy.

The last few days of the forecast, like Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th, the swell drops back into the 7ft to 8ft range with a long period, but the winds turn cross and cross-onshore, making it messy.

So, for the standout moment: without a doubt, Saturday morning, August 15th. That 10ft SW groundswell with glassy conditions is a rare, beautiful combo for the experienced crew. It’s the cleanest the big stuff will be all period. For the everyday surfer, Monday morning, August 17th, with the 6ft SW clean waves, is your best bet.

Stay safe out there, and don't be a hero when it's pumping 13 feet.

Rusty.

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