
Surf Forecasts:
Freshwater Bay surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, E swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, E swell with 160 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Freshwater Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Freshwater Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Freshwater Bay in the next 16 days are 1.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, crew, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty flat and grim for the vast majority of the time. We’ve got one window that shows a bit of life, but it’s a long way out, so don’t go planning your life around it just yet.
The early part of this stretch is a write-off. From Thursday the 6th right through until around Tuesday the 12th, we’re looking at tiny, weak surf. We’re talking ankle-biters mostly under 2ft, and even the bigger bumps are coming in with short, weak periods. The combined energy is almost nothing, mostly single digits and low double digits in the weak zone. It’s going to be a real fight for a crumbly little wave, if you can even find one. The winds are also mostly cross or onshore, chopping up what little is there. It’s a good time to clean your board, fix your fins, or go for a paddle – that’s about it.
Then, on the morning of Wednesday the 12th, there’s a tiny pulse. Freshwater Bay (Freshwater-Bay) wakes up to a wave around 3ft, but with only a 5-second period. The energy jumps a bit to 65, which is still weak, but it’s something. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the NE, which will keep it clean. It’s surfable, but honestly, it’s still pretty ordinary. This isn't the standout, just a little blip of hope. The afternoon backs off again.
We get another small bump early Sunday morning, the 16th. Another wave around 3.5ft, but again with a short 5-second period. The energy is moderate at 72, and the wind is offshore from the NNW, so the surface should be clean. It's another one of those “surfable but really ordinary” moments.
But here’s the one I’m actually talking about, the one that could be worth the wait. It’s mid-next week, remember that. On the morning of Wednesday the 19th and into Thursday the 20th, the swell finally decides to show up. We’re seeing waves around 5ft to 6ft on the Thursday afternoon. The combined energy jumps into the strong zone, with readings of 181 on Wednesday morning and hitting 280 by Thursday afternoon. This is the real deal energy-wise. The swell direction is WSW, which is close to the optimum SW for the break.
Now, the catch. The short period of 6 seconds means it’s going to be a bit fat and won't have that real grunt. Plus, this swell pushes the size over 5ft, so it’s getting a little too much for beginners. The winds are the issue, though. The Wednesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon are looking cross-shore, which will put a chop on it. The mornings do have cross-offshore winds that will keep it cleaner. This is a promising, but less certain, long-range signal. Don’t book flights, but keep an eye on it.
After that, it fades quickly back to small, poor surf for the final days of the window.
Overall, it’s a bleak outlook. The only real standout is that pulse on the 19th and 20th. It’s got the energy and the size, and if the morning winds hold true, it could be the best – and only – worthwhile session in the entire 16 days. Let’s hope the models are onto something.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat night, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon morning, min 18°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | SW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | — | W 7 | W 9 | WSW 7 | W 5 | WSW 7 | SW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | E 6 | E 5 | ESE 5 | SW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
39 | 28 | 23 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 160 | 51 | 22 | 23 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | off | glassy | cross | off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | on | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 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 | 10:41AM2.41m | 10:52PM2.52m | 11:32AM2.60m | 11:40PM2.65m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 3:39PM0.31m | 4:06AM-0.07m | 4:26PM0.17m | |||||||||
5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | |
— | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 23 | 27 | 28 | 27 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 23 | 18 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | W 10 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | W 10 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | — | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | E 3 | W 5 | WSW 4 | W 8 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | E 5 |
39 | 2 | 23 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 10 | 17 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | — | W 10 | — | — | W 7 | SW 7 | SW 7 | W 8 | WSW 7 | — | WSW 6 | — | — | — | SW 6 | W 6 | SW 10 |
— | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | — | 4 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 23 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | W 10 | — | W 12 | — | W 6 | W 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 4 | NNW 3 | — | SW 3 | NNW 2 | — | — | — | NNE 2 | WSW 7 | WNW 4 | NNW 3 | SW 3 | — | ESE 2 | E 3 | E 6 | E 5 | ESE 5 | — |
— | 28 | 4 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 20 | 1 | 5 | — | 1 | 3 | 160 | 51 | 22 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 303 | 401 | 316 | 319 | 371 | 356 | 304 | 304 | 282 | 343 | 303 | 279 | 285 | 600 | 282 | 282 | 622 | 0 | 0 | 116 | 169 |
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.











