
Surf Forecasts:
Jailbreaks surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 3 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, SSE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 16s period, SSW swell with 1,091 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 2PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period with SSE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Jailbreaks this week:
The surf forecast for Jailbreaks over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 03) at 2PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.9m and 13s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Jailbreaks in the next 16 days are 1.5m 16s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 11AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (+05) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 2PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 11AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 16s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Jailbreaks over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here.
Alright, let’s be honest, the next couple of weeks at Jailbreaks are a real mixed bag, and it’s going to take a bit of patience to get to the good stuff. This is a proper reef setup, exposed to the south, so it knows how to handle a swell, but we’re looking at a few quiet days before a big change.
First up, from Thursday the 3rd through to the start of the following week, the surf is small but clean. Swell hangs around the 3ft to 5ft from the SSE, with a solid period of 10 to 11 seconds. The energy is moderate, sitting around 300 to 600 (moderate wave energy) – nothing to get the heart pumping, but the winds are light and cross-off or glassy. This is your chance for a mellow session on a reasonably consistent reef. The water temp is 85°, about normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Now, things get a bit sketchy from the 9th. The swell drops right off on Wednesday the 9th, down to 2ft, but the period jumps to 18 seconds – that’s a long-period groundswell, but with almost no height, it’s not doing much, and the cross-shore winds are getting stronger, making it choppy. This is a write-off for the paddle crowd.
Then we hit a real turning point. From the 10th of September, a proper SSW swell kicks in, starting at 5ft on the Thursday and building up. This is where the reef will really start to show its teeth. Swell energy jumps hard, hitting four-digit figures (1450 and 1393 on the 10th, 1442 on the 11th – strong wave energy). That’s a serious shift in energy. The wave period is 15 to 16 seconds, meaning real groundswell lines. Here’s the catch: the wind is moderate, coming from the W or WNW, cross-off to cross, and we’ve got a risk of thunderstorms on the cards. The wave comment is “marginal”, which might sound bad, but for a break like this, a bit of cross-off wind isn't a dealbreaker. For an advanced crew, this is where it gets interesting.
The standout run is from the 10th through the 12th. Swell heights between 5ft and 5ft on the reef, pushing close to that expert territory. It’s not too big to be chaotic, but it’s enough to pack a punch. The long period (15-16 seconds) means the reef will line up perfectly. Keep an eye on that Thursday morning (10th), where the wind is cross-off and clean; that’s the pick of the early bunch.
Looking further out, around the 18th of September, the model is hinting at something much bigger. We’re looking at a 6ft swell from the SSW with a period of 20 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell. The energy reading on the Friday afternoon is 2500 (strong to very strong wave energy). That is a serious amount of water moving. At that size and period, Jailbreaks will be firing, but it’s strictly for experts. The moderate cross-off breeze is fine. Keep this one on your radar for a possible late-season bomb, but it’s a long way out, so don’t bank on it just yet.
So, the best bet for a good, clean session is the period from the morning of the 10th through the 12th. If you want the absolute pick of the forecast, aim for the morning of the 10th of September when it’s clean and has that first flush of new, powerful swell.
Stay safe out there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu night. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 27°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sun morning, min 27°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SSW 17 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
356 | 370 | 407 | 408 | 408 | 443 | 370 | 306 | 307 | 263 | 258 | 205 | 218 | 200 | 208 | 184 | 198 | 220 | 243 | 297 | 917 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 3:27PM0.74m | 5:19AM0.74m | 3:38PM0.67m | 6:43AM0.66m | 3:19PM0.61m | 9:52AM0.66m | 11:14AM0.74m | 10:31PM0.51m | 11:49AM0.81m | 11:40PM0.62m | 12:17PM0.87m | 00:24AM0.74m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 10:04AM0.39m | 10:13PM0.08m | 10:37AM0.47m | 10:52PM0.14m | 11:26AM0.56m | 11:50PM0.22m | 2:28AM0.29m | 6:25PM0.42m | 4:39AM0.26m | 6:23PM0.34m | 5:39AM0.21m | 6:38PM0.26m | |||||||||
5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | |
— | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:08 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
Temp °C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 11 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 10 | SSE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SE 9 | SSW 17 |
356 | 370 | 407 | 408 | 408 | 443 | 370 | 306 | 307 | 263 | 258 | 205 | 218 | 200 | 205 | 184 | 198 | 220 | 220 | 251 | 917 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | NW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 18 | SSW 17 | SE 10 |
304 | 219 | 103 | 75 | 90 | 14 | 55 | 52 | 24 | 55 | 47 | 61 | 53 | 38 | 208 | 144 | 171 | 96 | 243 | 297 | 268 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 9 | NW 10 | S 17 | SE 8 | WNW 10 | SSW 15 | WNW 10 | SSW 20 | SW 18 | SW 18 | S 16 | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | SW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 7 |
32 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 40 | 24 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 42 | 21 | 127 | 154 | 79 | 127 | 70 | 68 | 62 | 88 | 118 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | NW 4 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 254 | 7 | 254 | 254 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Male Atoll | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Maldives | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Jailbreaks Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Jailbreaks provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Jailbreaks can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Jailbreaks 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 (Jailbreaks) 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 Jailbreaks 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.
Are you planning a holiday in North Male Atoll? If you are looking for accommodation near Jailbreaks, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in North Male Atoll, consider staying in Male which is 40 km (25 miles) away.










