
Surf Forecasts:
Freshwater Bay surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 6 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, WSW swell with 156 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 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 06) 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 1.1m 6s 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 (Thu 6th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Freshwater Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – the next 16 days at Freshwater Bay are about as exciting as a flat tire. This is a reef and point setup that’s got a solid reputation, but for this stretch, we’re looking at a whole lot of nothing. The water temperature is sitting at 70°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – a proper anomaly, over 8° warmer than the long-term average. That’s pretty unusual.
The entire forecast period, starting now and running through to the 16th of August, is a long, flat gap. There’s not a single session worth paddling out for. The swell energy is weak, with values barely cracking 100 until the 6th of August, and even then it’s only moderate at best. The biggest swell we see is around 5 ft on the afternoon of the 6th, but it’s coming from the WSW with a short period of 5 seconds – that’s windswell, not groundswell, and it’s going to be lumpy and messy. The wind is mostly cross-on or cross-shore, and often strong, especially from the 14th onward with fresh breezes hitting 18 to 22 mph. Even the few clean, glassy moments like the morning of the 7th only have 1 ft of swell – barely ankle-high.
The swell direction is predominantly WSW, which is not the optimum for this break – it prefers SW. So, even when there’s a little push, it’s not lining up. The combined energy of all swells directed here tops out at 140 (moderate) on the afternoon of the 6th, but that’s attached to a short-period, messy swell with a cross-shore chop. Not worth it.
There’s a slight uptick on the 11th with a 4 ft swell from the east, but that’s also short-period (5 seconds) and the wind is cross-shore. It’s just not coming together. The rest of the days are swamped with tiny waves, often under 2 ft, and poor conditions.
Honestly, for a spot that’s fairly consistent, this is a rough run. If you’re a kite surfer, the stronger winds on the 5th, 14th, and 15th might make it interesting, but for paddle surfing, it’s a write-off. The forecasts can change, but for now, leave the boards at home.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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 4 | SW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | SW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 65 | 53 | 119 | 99 | 140 | 44 | 14 | 3 | 3 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-off | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 1:42PM2.45m | 1:40AM2.42m | 2:16PM2.44m | 2:14AM2.35m | 2:52PM2.39m | 2:50AM2.27m | 3:28PM2.33m | 3:30AM2.18m | 4:09PM2.24m | 4:17AM2.08m | 4:56PM2.16m | 5:15AM2.00m | 5:54PM2.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:38PM0.32m | 6:57AM0.02m | 7:14PM0.34m | 7:32AM0.07m | 7:52PM0.39m | 8:11AM0.17m | 8:35PM0.48m | 8:55AM0.31m | 9:24PM0.59m | 9:48AM0.49m | 10:27PM0.70m | 10:58AM0.66m | 11:51PM0.73m | ||||||||
5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | |
— | 8:51 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 13 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 4 | SW 10 | WSW 4 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | E 5 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 |
4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 44 | 14 | 3 | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | — | WSW 9 | W 4 | — | E 5 | WSW 9 | E 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | W 10 |
2 | — | 8 | 1 | — | 2 | 15 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | SW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 |
1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | WSW 3 | NNW 3 | NE 3 | — | — | — | — | W 4 | WSW 4 | SW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | SW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | WSW 5 | NNW 3 | ENE 3 | — | — |
2 | 6 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 65 | 53 | 119 | 99 | 140 | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 282 | 284 | 216 | 508 | 282 | 196 | 182 | 218 | 220 | 285 | 285 | 351 | 356 | 2357 | 249 | 169 | 638 | 165 | 351 | 481 | 604 |
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.











