Surf Forecasts:
Fall Bay Reef surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, WSW swell with 404 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fall Bay Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Fall Bay Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fall Bay Reef in the next 16 days are 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fall Bay Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, grab a coffee and listen close. We’re talking about Fall Bay Reef. It’s a reef break that’s inconsistent and needs a proper swell to get going. Looking over the next couple of weeks, it’s a frustrating story with a potentially big payoff way down the line. Water temps are about average for this time of year.
The forecast starts with a tough stretch. Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th offer some waist-high swell, around 3 ft to 5 ft from the WSW, but the wind is a real problem. We’ve got a fresh cross-shore and cross-off breeze blowing, leaving the surface lumpy and chopped up. It’s pretty ordinary.
Friday the 21st through to Tuesday the 27th of August is a quiet, flat period. We’re looking at tiny waves, ankle to knee-high at best, with combined wave energy barely registering (14 to 42). The wind does go glassy and clean on the Sunday morning, but there’s just nothing to ride. It’s a proper lull.
Then Thursday the 29th of August afternoon shows a glimmer. The swell bumps up to 4 ft from the WSW, the wind goes light cross-off, and the conditions clean up. The energy ticks up to 253, so it’s surfable but still very ordinary. This is more of a warm-up than a standout.
Now, here’s the part that has me talking. Look to the end of the forecast period. Monday the 31st of August and Tuesday the 1st of September. This is the one to circle on your calendar. A solid groundswell from the WSW pushes through with a 10-second period. Monday morning sees the swell hitting 12 ft, dropping to 10 ft in the afternoon, with a very strong wave energy reading (2091 and 1470). Tuesday morning is still pumping with 8 ft swell. The wind for these sessions is a clean cross-off. This is serious, powerful swell. At that size, over 8 ft, you’d want to be an experienced surfer. For a reef break like Fall Bay, that long-period, directional swell will set up some proper waves, but it can also make for a wild paddle out. The main let-down? The following Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday see the wind swing onshore or become strong, turning it to slop.
So, the honest truth? This is a long-range promise. For the next week and a half, you can leave the board in the car. The only true standout, and it’s a risk, is Monday the 31st of August and Tuesday the 1st of September. That’s your window for some serious, powerful waves at Fall Bay Reef. Keep an eye on it, but don’t lock your plans in just yet.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue night, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed afternoon, light winds from the N by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | W 7 | WSW 8 | W 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | W 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 8 | WSW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
45 | 78 | 371 | 266 | 266 | 106 | 53 | 22 | 23 | 31 | 31 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 404 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:13AM6.91m | 11:35PM6.64m | 11:56AM6.32m | 00:23AM6.02m | 12:52PM5.80m | 1:31AM5.54m | 2:16PM5.50m | 3:07AM5.42m | 3:51PM5.63m | 4:30AM5.72m | 4:59PM6.09m | 5:25AM6.23m | 5:45PM6.67m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:59AM1.59m | 5:17PM1.85m | 5:39AM2.19m | 6:04PM2.43m | 6:31AM2.73m | 7:09PM2.91m | 7:50AM3.10m | 8:44PM3.11m | 9:29AM3.09m | 10:16PM2.89m | 10:45AM2.71m | 11:17PM2.42m | 11:36AM2.19m | 00:01AM1.88m | |||||||
6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | SW 16 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | SW 14 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | W 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | SW 4 | WSW 9 |
45 | 10 | 269 | 266 | 8 | 106 | 53 | 22 | 23 | 31 | 31 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 404 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | — | SW 16 | SW 15 | — | SW 14 | SW 13 | WSW 6 | WNW 4 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 8 | — |
7 | — | 10 | 8 | — | 8 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 12 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | — | — | W 15 | — | SW 14 | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 13 | NW 6 | — | SW 12 | — | — | — | SW 14 | — | SW 13 | — | W 10 | — |
10 | — | — | 4 | — | 8 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 2 | — | 6 | — | — | — | 8 | — | 7 | — | 8 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 5 | W 7 | — | W 8 | N 4 | NNW 3 | NW 3 | N 3 | — | WNW 4 | NNW 3 | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | WNW 3 | — | — | SE 4 |
— | 78 | 371 | — | 266 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | 40 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 432 | 322 | 33 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 296 | 4 | 5 | 78 | 78 | 180 | 125 | 299 | 379 | 299 | 54 | 2 | 6 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Wales - Gower | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Fall Bay Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Fall Bay Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fall Bay Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fall Bay Reef 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 (Fall Bay Reef) 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 Fall Bay Reef 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.
Fall Bay Reef is 25 km (16 miles) from Swansea. If you plan a holiday in Wales - Gower, look for hotels and other accommodation in Swansea. Swansea has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











