Surf Forecasts:
Lowestoft surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period, N swell with 124 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 7s period with N swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Lowestoft this week:
The surf forecast for Lowestoft over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lowestoft in the next 16 days are 1.1m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) 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 0.7m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lowestoft over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s be real about this stretch we’ve got coming up. It’s gonna be a tough watch for a while, no two ways about it. The first week is pretty much a write-off, and we’re looking at a serious dry spell before anything even thinks about showing its face.
The long and short of it is, there’s simply no decent surf on the cards for the next ten days or more. The swell energy is just pathetic, with combined energy readings stuck in single digits and low double digits until Friday the 21st. We’re talking about ankle-snatchers at best, if you can even call them that. It’s flat out depressing.
Things get a little more interesting by the end of the week, but it’s not going to be pretty. On Friday, the 21st, we finally see some actual swell push in—around 3 to 3 feet of north/northeast windswell. The energy jumps to 76 and then 104, which sounds like something, but the wind is going to be howling from the north and northeast at 12-18 mph, right onshore. This is going to rip that little bit of swell to shreds, making it completely unsurfable. Honestly, with that onshore wind and the lumpy conditions it’s going to create, I’d be looking at the kites if I were you. It’s not a paddle board situation at all.
The weekend isn't much better. Saturday the 22nd offers up a similar story: around 3 feet of weak, short-period north/northeast swell (energy at 49 and 109) but that cross-shore wind from the north is going to keep it messy and bumpy. By Sunday, the swell drops back and the wind swings around, but we’re down to nothing again.
So, looking at the whole 16-day window, there’s just nothing that qualifies as a green light. We’ve got roughly nine days of pure nothing, followed by a few days of junky, wind-blown slop that won’t offer any real waves. It’s a blank run that feels more normal for this stretch of coast, but it’s no less frustrating. Hang loose, keep the board in the car just in case, but don’t hold your breath. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s looking grim.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Tue morning, calm by Wed afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Fri afternoon, calm by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
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) | N 7 | NE 7 | NNE 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 4 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 5 | NNE 8 | N 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 7 | NNE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 76 | 103 | 83 | 49 | 109 | 124 | 40 | 59 | 37 | 36 | 24 | 15 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 1:49PM2.55m | 2:36AM2.14m | 2:35PM2.41m | 3:21AM2.10m | 3:30PM2.27m | 4:13AM2.08m | 4:34PM2.15m | 5:11AM2.10m | 5:55PM2.08m | 6:14AM2.14m | 7:40PM2.10m | 7:20AM2.21m | 8:42PM2.16m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:37AM0.96m | 8:22PM0.72m | 8:16AM1.04m | 9:03PM0.92m | 9:04AM1.13m | 9:50PM1.10m | 10:05AM1.21m | 10:43PM1.25m | 11:20AM1.26m | 11:49PM1.34m | 1:43PM1.16m | 2:04AM1.31m | 2:33PM1.00m | 2:46AM1.25m | |||||||
5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | |
— | 8:13 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 4 | NE 7 | NNE 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | S 5 | — | E 3 | — | — | — | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 7 | NNE 7 |
1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 69 | 40 | 59 | 37 | 36 | 24 | 15 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 7 | S 7 | — | — | S 6 | — | S 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | — | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 3 | NW 3 | NW 3 | W 3 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | NNE 4 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 5 | NNE 8 | N 7 | — | NNE 7 | — | — | SSE 3 | S 3 |
5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 21 | 76 | 103 | 83 | 49 | 109 | 124 | — | 36 | — | — | 3 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 424 | 567 | 158 | 617 | 567 | 424 | 407 | 547 | 199 | 351 | 168 | 168 | 221 | 351 | 20 | 22 | 351 | 22 | 140 | 195 | 287 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Anglia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Lowestoft Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Lowestoft provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Lowestoft can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Lowestoft 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 (Lowestoft) 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 Lowestoft 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.
Lowestoft is 1 km (1 miles) from the city of Lowestoft. If you plan a holiday in East Anglia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Lowestoft. Lowestoft has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











