Fairhaven Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The first real action starts on Friday the 14th of August, but it’s not for the faint of heart.

The Big Picture

We’re looking at a period that kicks off with a serious pulse of long-period groundswell that’s just too big for the main break, then settles down, and then has another absolute monster of a run around the 24th. The water temp is sitting at 57°F, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The Beginning: A Goliath, but for Experts Only

The first swell to hit Fairhaven on Friday afternoon, August 14th, is a beast. We’re talking a solid 12 ft from the SW, with a super long 15-second period. The combined energy is massive at 5146, so you’ll feel the power. The wind is cross-onshore, so it’ll be a bit choppy, but the real issue is the size. This is simply too big for a beginner. You’d need to be a well-experienced surfer to even think about it, and even then, it’s a serious mission.

The Weekend: A Clean Window for the Brave

If you’re experienced, Saturday morning, August 15th, is where it’s at. The swell drops to 10 ft, still SW, still a 15-second period, but the wind goes glassy. That’s a major positive – clean, glassy faces on a big, powerful swell. The score is good, but remember, this is still a big wave day. The combined energy is still very high at 3812. This is your standout for the first week, but only for the experts. The afternoon gets a bit dicey with onshore wind, so get on it early.

Sunday the 16th is still a decent size at 7 ft, but the wind swings cross-on and the period drops a little. It’s not as clean as Saturday, but there’ll be waves.

The Middle of the Week: A Lull and a Glimmer

From Monday the 17th through to Thursday the 20th, the swell drops significantly. We’re talking 6 ft down to 3 ft. The energy falls off (1271 down to 560). It’s a quiet stretch. The Thursday afternoon of the 20th is worth a mention though – a glassy, 4 ft swell from the WSW with a 16-second period. The energy is only moderate (671), but glassy conditions on a long-period swell are a treat. The break is “rarely breaks,” so catching it on a good day like this is special.

The Standout: The Monster Wave of the 24th

Now, hold onto your boards. The forecast for Monday, August 24th, is just insane. We’re looking at a 15 ft from the SW in the morning, and a 13 ft in the afternoon. The period is 16-17 seconds. The combined energy is astronomical – 17330 in the morning and 9704 in the afternoon. The wind is offshore in the morning and glassy in the afternoon. This is a massive, groundswell of the highest order.

But here’s the real talk: this is another case of “too big for this break.” It’s a standout for its sheer power, but it’s a very serious, expert-only situation. The long period (over 15 seconds) means it will be a straight, powerful wave at a beach break, so it’s not for the casual surfer. If you’re a pro, this is your day. The whole setup looks more interesting for a big-wave kite surfer than a paddle surfer.

The Tail End: A Cleaner, Smaller Finish

After the 24th, the swell settles back down. The 25th is still a good size at 8 ft with clean offshore winds, which is a solid, fun day for experienced surfers. By the 26th and 27th, it’s dropping, and the winds get a bit messy. The last few days of the month show a consistent 5 ft to 7 ft range, but the wind directions are mostly onshore or cross-on, so it’s not going to be perfect.

The Bottom Line

If you’re an expert, the absolute best is Saturday morning, August 15th, for the clean, glassy conditions on a big swell, and then the monstrous Monday, August 24th, for the pure power. For everyone else, the Thursday afternoon of the 20th offers a rare, glassy, and smaller window. The rest of the month is a mix of average to poor conditions, so keep an eye on the wind.

Rusty.

Read more