Surf Forecasts:
Freshwater Bay surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 8s period, SW swell with 1,176 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 3.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Freshwater Bay has got cooking for us over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, this is a tough stretch. The first two weeks are a write-off for any decent paddle surfing. We've got a run of poor conditions with messy, lumpy, choppy surf and cross-shore winds that just won't let up. It’s a bit of a grim spell. The water temp is sitting at 70°F right now, and that's a whopping 7°F warmer than what's normal for this time of year—very unusual.
Things finally look like they might turn around on Wednesday the 2nd of September. That’s the first hint of something half-decent. The morning shows a gentle offshore breeze from the NNW with a 5ft swell from the WSW, and the combined energy is weak at (98). It's surfable, but it's only a 'fairly consistent' reef and point break and crowds are possible here. Still, after all that wind, a little clean-up set is a welcome sight.
The standout, and really the only one worth getting excited about, is Tuesday the 8th of September. We’ve got a 3ft to 4ft groundswell from the SW, and the period is a very long 19 to 16 seconds, which means proper energy. The combined swell energy is strong at (751). The catch is the wind is cross-onshore, so it won't be glassy, but for a reef and point break like Freshwater Bay (Freshwater-Bay), that long-period groundswell will wrap in with real power. It's the best of a rough bunch, but still not perfect.
So, bottom line: don't waste your time until Wednesday the 2nd of September for a so-so session. If you're waiting for something with real punch, hold out for Tuesday the 8th of September, but don't expect perfection with that wind.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 17°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Mon morning, calm by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Thu afternoon, strong winds from the SW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | SW 9 | SW 9 | E 6 | E 5 | SW 8 | W 10 | SW 3 | E 4 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 6 | SW 5 | SW 7 | WSW 7 | SW 8 | SW 6 | WSW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
205 | 3 | 3 | 121 | 40 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 18 | 141 | 132 | 889 | 634 | 146 | 80 | 447 | 254 | 164 | 197 | 595 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 9:31PM2.03m | 10:16AM2.05m | 10:16PM2.18m | 10:53AM2.21m | 10:53PM2.32m | 11:28AM2.36m | 11:28PM2.43m | 12:02PM2.47m | 00:02AM2.49m | 12:35PM2.54m | 00:37AM2.52m | 1:09PM2.56m | 1:12AM2.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:45PM0.82m | 3:12AM0.58m | 3:25PM0.67m | 3:48AM0.39m | 4:00PM0.52m | 4:20AM0.22m | 4:34PM0.39m | 4:52AM0.07m | 5:06PM0.27m | 5:24AM-0.04m | 5:39PM0.19m | 5:57AM-0.10m | 6:14PM0.14m | ||||||||
6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | |
— | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 2 | 10 | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | 1 |
Temp °C | 19 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 8 | E 4 | E 4 | SW 3 | WSW 4 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | WSW 7 | — | — | — | — | SSE 5 | SSE 5 | — | WSW 8 | — |
9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 101 | — | — | — | — | 14 | 2 | — | 62 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 11 | — | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 7 | SW 7 | W 8 | — | ESE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 9 | W 8 | — | W 10 | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | E 5 | — | — | S 3 | E 4 | SW 4 | SW 6 | SW 7 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 6 | SW 5 | SW 7 | WSW 7 | SW 8 | SW 6 | WSW 7 |
205 | 247 | 280 | 121 | 40 | — | — | 1 | 9 | 18 | 141 | 132 | 889 | 634 | 146 | 80 | 447 | 254 | 164 | 197 | 595 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 476 | 343 | 248 | 249 | 216 | 198 | 216 | 249 | 351 | 110 | 108 | 24 | 195 | 32 | 33 | 347 | 268 | 109 | 624 | 268 | 515 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Isle of Wight | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Live Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.











