
Surf Forecasts:
Freshwater Bay surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 4s period, ENE swell with 18 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Freshwater Bay this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Freshwater Bay in the next 16 days are 0.7m 4s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at the cards for the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, this is a tough one. We're looking at a stretch where the ocean just isn't cooperating. The swell is tiny, the energy is non-existent, and the wind is often a problem. For the first few days, you're looking at almost nothing. From Sunday the 19th through to around Thursday the 25th, the swell is basically flat. We’re talking about wave heights barely cracking 2 ft, with periods so short they just don't have any push. The combined energy is a measly single-digit or low double-digit figure, which is about as weak as it gets (10). It's a bleak run for a surfboard.
The only real glimmer of hope, and I mean a faint one, comes late in the period. Around Monday morning the 27th of July, we see a bit of a pulse. The swell picks up to 3 ft from the SW, with a combined energy of 33 (moderate). The wind is a cross-offshore from the WNW, which should keep things reasonably clean at Freshwater Bay. It’s a reef and point setup, so it's best for intermediate surfers and can handle a bit of direction. But don't get too excited; the period is a short 4 seconds, so it'll be a bit weak and mushy. It's the best we've got, but it's a long way from a standout.
The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
By the end of the first week of August, the wind is really going to be howling from the SW, with gusts up to 28 mph. That mix of lumpy cross-shore winds and small, weak swell makes the beach setup look more interesting for the kite surfers than for us paddle guys. Honestly, this is a period where you might be better off tuning up your gear or checking the forecast again in a few days.
Stay patient, and keep your eyes on the horizon.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 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) | E 4 | W 7 | W 10 | ENE 3 | W 12 | W 8 | ENE 4 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 4 | E 4 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | W 8 | — | W 8 | WSW 3 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:30PM2.51m | 3:35AM2.34m | 4:10PM2.36m | 4:17AM2.16m | 4:51PM2.21m | 5:02AM1.99m | 5:33PM2.07m | 5:52AM1.87m | 6:22PM1.97m | 6:59AM1.79m | 7:30PM1.93m | 8:45AM1.81m | 9:03PM1.97m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:05AM0.03m | 8:29PM0.45m | 8:51AM0.26m | 9:19PM0.62m | 9:41AM0.51m | 10:19PM0.78m | 10:42AM0.73m | 11:36PM0.88m | 12:01PM0.87m | 00:56AM0.87m | 1:17PM0.89m | 1:58AM0.79m | 2:16PM0.83m | 2:48AM0.67m | |||||||
5:13 | — | — | 5:15 | — | — | 5:16 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:18 | — | — | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:00 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 19 |
Feels °C | 18 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | E 4 | WSW 3 | — | E 4 | — | E 4 | ESE 4 | W 3 | — | — | WSW 4 | — | ESE 4 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | W 8 | WSW 3 |
1 | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 4 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 10 | — | W 12 | — | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 2 | — | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | — | SE 2 | ENE 3 | — | — | ENE 4 | — | — | — | WSW 2 | ENE 3 | E 4 | — | — | — | — | W 3 | — | — | — |
9 | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 304 | 483 | 285 | 304 | 304 | 319 | 259 | 282 | 332 | 332 | 648 | 332 | 484 | 343 | 315 | 356 | 813 | 604 | 611 | 890 | 609 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Isle of Wight | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Information about the Freshwater Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Freshwater Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Freshwater Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Freshwater Bay 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 (Freshwater Bay) 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 Freshwater Bay 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.
Freshwater Bay is 16 km (10 miles) from Newport. If you plan a holiday in Isle of Wight, look for hotels and other accommodation in Newport. Newport has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










