Surf Forecasts:
Freshwater Bay surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, WSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 6s period, WSW swell with 233 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period with WSW 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 9s is also forecast. 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 1.8m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) 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 1.2m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you: if you’re looking for a surf at Freshwater Bay over the next 16 days, you’re going to be waiting a long time for anything worthwhile. The first solid recommendation doesn’t pop up until the 1st of September, which is a real kick in the guts because that’s well over a week away. For a spot that’s fairly consistent, this kind of blank run is unusual, but it’s the reality right now. The first 12 days or so are a write-off – honestly, it’s mostly poor surf, strong cross-shore winds, and lumpy chop. The combined swell energy is weak, rarely cracking 100 (most days sit between 1 and 93), and where there is a bit of height, the wind just ruins it.
Come Tuesday morning, 1st September, things finally look interesting. Freshwater Bay is a reef and point setup, and it’s exposed to the swell. The best on offer is Tuesday morning: a solid 8 ft swell from the SW, with a period of 7 seconds. That’s short-period stuff, but the combined energy jumps to 527 – moderate to strong energy. The wind is offshore from the NW at 22 mph, making for clean, lined-up waves. That’s your standout. It’s a bit big for beginners at over 6 ft, but for intermediates and above, that’s a proper session. Crowds are possible here, so don’t expect to have it to yourself.
On Tuesday afternoon, the swell pushes up to 8 ft from the SW with a slightly longer 8-second period, and combined energy hits 746 (strong energy). The wind shifts to a cross-off from the WNW at 19 mph, so it stays clean. That’s a powerful wave, but at that size, it’s only for experts – the reef will be doing its thing, and you’ll need your wits about you. Again, crowds are a possibility.
Water temperature? Back on the 18th of August, it was 70°F with a 4° anomaly – that’s much warmer than usual for the time of year. Unusually warm water, so you might not need a thick wetsuit, but it’s a notable shift.
After that, the 2nd of September is flat again, with no surf. So, if you’re keen, circle Tuesday the 1st on your calendar. That’s your window. The rest of the fortnight is a no-go.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | ENE 5 | E 5 | E 5 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | SW 3 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 93 | 151 | 82 | 24 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 184 | 95 | 12 | 8 | 13 | 72 | 23 | 57 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 3:26PM2.32m | 3:37AM2.15m | 4:02PM2.15m | 4:18AM1.98m | 4:42PM2.00m | 5:06AM1.84m | 5:32PM1.89m | 6:10AM1.75m | 6:40PM1.84m | 7:52AM1.76m | 8:18PM1.89m | 9:27AM1.88m | 9:31PM2.03m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:38PM0.52m | 8:57AM0.54m | 9:25PM0.73m | 9:46AM0.79m | 10:28PM0.91m | 10:59AM0.98m | 00:09AM0.99m | 12:44PM1.04m | 1:35AM0.91m | 1:56PM0.95m | 2:30AM0.76m | 2:45PM0.82m | 3:12AM0.58m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | |  |  |  | | | | | | | | |  | | |
 | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 6 | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | ENE 4 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | W 10 | SW 10 | E 5 | E 4 | — | — | W 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 72 | 12 | 5 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 5 | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 6 | — | — | W 5 | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 8 | 7 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | ENE 3 | NE 4 | E 3 | ENE 5 | E 5 | E 5 | — | — | W 3 | — | WSW 2 | SW 3 |
| kJ | 93 | 151 | 82 | 24 | 9 | 84 | 75 | 184 | 95 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 72 | 23 | 57 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 3 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 317 | 268 | 29 | 152 | 268 | 259 | 249 | 249 | 0 | 182 | 110 | 220 | 196 | 259 | 315 | 216 | 304 | 216 | 384 | 604 | 356 |
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.
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