Surf Forecasts:
Fairhaven surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 16s period, SW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 22 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 16s period, WSW swell with 7,989 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 17 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fairhaven this week:
The surf forecast for Fairhaven over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 14s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fairhaven in the next 16 days are 4.0m 16s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (AEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 17th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 16s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fairhaven over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for Fairhaven over the next couple of weeks.
We’re starting slow, but the real action kicks in around the 16th. The first few days are a bit of a letdown. Sunday the 16th has a 7ft SW swell with a 14-second period, but the wind is cross-on and the energy is high (1641), but the quality just isn’t there. It’s messy. Monday the 17th has a cleaner window in the morning with a light cross-off breeze and 6ft SW swell, but tide issues keep it from being a standout. The real build-up starts toward the end of the week.
The best bet on offer is Thursday, 27 August and Friday, 28 August. Thursday morning has a 7ft SW swell at 18 seconds – that’s long-period groundswell, and it’s coming in with a light offshore breeze from the NNE. Clean as a whistle. The combined energy is pumping at 3607, and by the afternoon the swell pushes to 8ft with a 17-second period, still light winds. This is expert territory – over 8ft, so only for the experienced crew. Fairhaven is a fairly exposed break, and that long period will make it a proper, powerful wave. The water temp is sitting at 57°F with a 0.9°F anomaly, so about average for this time of year – nothing unusual.
Friday the 28th carries on the theme: 8ft SW swell in the morning, 16-second period, moderate offshore from the NNW. Still excellent for pros. The wind freshens a bit, but it’s offshore, so the faces will be clean. A solid run for anyone who knows what they’re doing.
Now, a bit of a warning: Saturday the 22nd and Monday the 24th see a massive jump in size – 12ft to 13ft SW swell. The energy readings are through the roof (10312 and 9746). That’s way too big for this spot, even with favourable winds. Only for the absolute elite, if anyone. The rest of us are better off waiting for the 27th.
Also, keep in mind, Fairhaven is a break that rarely breaks, so when it does, you want to be on it. Crowds are often here, so for the Thursday and Friday standouts, expect company.
From the 29th onward, things settle back to more manageable 5ft to 7ft SW swells, with some clean windows, but nothing that matches the quality of the 27th and 28th. The 30th has a nice afternoon offshore session with 7ft at 16 seconds – worth a look if you missed the earlier action.
So, bottom line: the standout is Thursday 27 August and Friday 28 August for experienced surfers. Clean, powerful, long-period SW groundswell with offshore winds. The rest of the period is a mix of average and too big. Don’t sleep on that Thursday window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 17°C on Tue morning, min 10°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 9°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 15 | WSW 14 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1641 | 1528 | 1304 | 1233 | 1978 | 1563 | 915 | 628 | 605 | 309 | 331 | 214 | 390 | 536 | 590 | 1508 | 1621 | 6720 | 4249 | 5875 | 4490 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:04PM1.93m | 2:28AM1.85m | 2:39PM1.93m | 3:14AM1.88m | 3:13PM1.90m | 3:56AM1.86m | 3:44PM1.84m | 4:35AM1.81m | 4:14PM1.76m | 5:14AM1.73m | 4:42PM1.68m | 5:55AM1.63m | 5:11PM1.58m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:19PM0.28m | 8:31AM0.34m | 8:58PM0.18m | 9:12AM0.42m | 9:34PM0.14m | 9:50AM0.52m | 10:09PM0.15m | 10:26AM0.63m | 10:43PM0.21m | 11:00AM0.74m | 11:17PM0.28m | 11:34AM0.85m | 11:53PM0.37m | ||||||||
7:09 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | |
— | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:49 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:51 | — | — | 5:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 9 |
Feels °C | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 13 | WSW 15 | SW 18 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
1641 | 1528 | 1304 | 1233 | 1978 | 1563 | 915 | 628 | 605 | 309 | 331 | 214 | 390 | 536 | 590 | 1508 | 711 | 2399 | 4249 | 3517 | 4490 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | S 17 | S 15 | ESE 5 | SW 13 | E 5 | — | ESE 7 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | WSW 18 | SW 19 | — | SW 16 | — | — | — |
— | — | 9 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 39 | 234 | 17 | — | 4 | 121 | 241 | 216 | 207 | 546 | — | 1158 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | SW 18 | S 17 | — | — | NW 5 | WSW 9 | E 6 | E 7 | WSW 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 6 | 212 | 5 | — | — | 1 | 25 | 3 | 4 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | — | E 5 | ENE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NW 3 | NW 2 | — | NW 2 | — | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | — | WSW 14 | — |
— | — | — | — | 12 | 83 | — | 41 | 18 | 38 | 49 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | — | 1621 | 6720 | — | 5875 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 38 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Torquay | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Fairhaven Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Fairhaven provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fairhaven can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fairhaven surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Fairhaven) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Fairhaven may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Fairhaven is 44 km (27 miles) from the city of Geelong. If you plan a holiday in Torquay, look for hotels and other accommodation in Geelong. Geelong has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











