
Surf Forecasts:
Freshwater Bay surf forecast from 4 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, WSW swell with 378 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 2.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s talk about what’s happening at Freshwater Bay. This is a reef and point setup that’s fairly consistent, but honestly, the next 16 days are a real mixed bag. The water is sitting at 70°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s a big anomaly, over four degrees above average, so you’ll be in boardies or a light spring suit for sure.
The first week is a tough one to recommend. We’ve got a persistent run of small, weak swell and poor wind conditions. The overall energy is low, typically under 100 (weak). There’s really no standout surf. The first hint of anything rideable comes on Wednesday, August 7th, with a tiny 1.0ft swell from the WSW and a 5-second period, but the wind is glassy in the morning – that’s the only positive. The swell is just too small to get excited about. The rest of the first week is a mix of cross-onshore and choppy conditions with tiny, weak waves. There’s a gap of nearly no surf from the start until the 13th of August.
Things start to lift a little on Thursday, August 13th. The morning sees a 3ft swell from the WSW with a 9-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 144 (moderate). The wind is a gentle cross-shore, so it’s a bit lumpy, but it’s the most energy we’ve seen. The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 5ft, but the period drops to 5 seconds and the wind freshens, making it messy. That’s not the best option.
The real standout, and the one that’s worth waiting for, arrives on Tuesday, August 19th. The morning has a clean 4ft swell from the WSW with a 9-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 249 (moderate). With a light breeze from the NNE, you’re looking at offshore conditions at Freshwater Bay, which is perfect for this reef and point break. The swell direction is a good match for the optimum SW direction. This is your best window. The afternoon gets a touch bigger at 5ft, but the wind swings cross-onshore, so the morning is the pick.
Just before that, on Monday, August 18th, there’s a bigger 7ft swell from the WSW, but with a short 6-second period and a cross-shore wind, it’s going to be a lumpy, powerful mess. That’s one for experts only, if anyone.
So, for the bulk of the forecast, you’re looking at small, weak, and often onshore conditions. The one true highlight is the morning of August 19th. Keep an eye on that date; it’s a bit out there, but it’s the best promise we’ve got. If you’re desperate, the glassy morning of August 7th might get you a few ankle-biters. Otherwise, be patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the ENE by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 17°C on Fri afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | W 10 | W 6 | W 9 | SW 8 | WSW 7 | SW 6 | WNW 4 | WSW 6 | SW 7 | W 4 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
86 | 90 | 123 | 320 | 129 | 39 | 38 | 21 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 4 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross | off | off | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:30AM2.18m | 4:09PM2.24m | 4:17AM2.08m | 4:56PM2.16m | 5:15AM2.00m | 5:54PM2.10m | 6:32AM1.97m | 7:11PM2.09m | 8:12AM2.02m | 8:42PM2.17m | 9:39AM2.20m | 9:56PM2.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:35PM0.48m | 8:55AM0.31m | 9:24PM0.59m | 9:48AM0.49m | 10:27PM0.70m | 10:58AM0.66m | 11:51PM0.73m | 12:27PM0.72m | 1:17AM0.62m | 1:46PM0.63m | 2:24AM0.40m | 2:48PM0.47m | 3:18AM0.15m | |||||||
— | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | |
8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 18 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | W 10 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | SW 6 | W 6 | — | SW 8 | WSW 7 | SW 6 | WNW 4 | WSW 4 | E 5 | W 4 |
— | — | — | — | 29 | — | 2 | 21 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 4 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | SW 6 | WSW 6 | — | WSW 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 6 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 4 | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 3 | N 3 | SW 7 | NNW 2 |
86 | 90 | 123 | 320 | 129 | 39 | 38 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 12 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 248 | 268 | 314 | 346 | 268 | 364 | 249 | 348 | 103 | 315 | 322 | 351 | 356 | 343 | 216 | 196 | 343 | 284 | 472 | 343 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Isle of Wight | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











