
Surf Forecasts:
Scarborough South Bay surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 20 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, NNE swell with 863 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 20 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 9s period with NNE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Scarborough South Bay this week:
The surf forecast for Scarborough South Bay over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Scarborough South Bay in the next 16 days are 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 25) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Mon 20th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Scarborough South Bay over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
We're looking at a pretty bleak stretch ahead for Scarborough South Bay. The pattern is a long, drawn-out period of poor conditions. The opening days are a write-off, and it's not until Friday the 24th that we get a little window of something surfable.
Right now, Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th, we've got a 5ft to 7ft north-northeast swell coming in, but a fresh 19 mph cross-shore wind is just tearing it up, turning it into lumpy, choppy mess. The water's sitting at 60°F, which is about normal for this time of year. The wave energy is moderate but the quality is just not there. That swell is over 7ft on Sunday, which is getting into expert territory, but with the wind, it's not even worth a look for anyone.
Monday the 20th through Thursday the 23rd is a continuation of the same story – a mix of small to moderate north-northeast swell, but with persistent onshore and cross-shore winds. The energy is moderate, but the conditions are "choppy" and "poor". It's a frustrating pattern.
The only real standout, and it's a modest one, is Friday the 24th. We get a small drop in swell to 3ft from the north-northeast, but the wind switches to a light, clean cross-offshore in the morning and goes glassy in the afternoon. The wave energy is weak, so it's not going to be big, but for the first time in the forecast, the conditions will be clean. This is your best shot for a small, clean, glassy session on a log or a mid-length. With the crowds being "often" here, expect a few others to have the same idea.
After that, we slide back into a long weekend of almost nothing. From Saturday the 25th through to Wednesday the 29th, we're looking at tiny swell (0.7ft to 2ft) and strong offshore winds. It's clean, but there's simply no wave energy to work with.
Thursday the 30th offers a tiny bit of hope, with a glassy 3ft northwest swell, but it's very small.
Then, on Saturday the 1st of August, we see a spike in the energy with a 7ft north swell. That's a strong pulse of energy. However, the wind is a gentle cross-onshore, and the conditions are described as "fairly choppy" and "marginal". For experienced surfers, this could be a raw, powerful, but messy day. The size is pushing into expert-only territory (over 8ft), and the wind isn't doing it any favours.
Overall, it's a grim run. The one clear window is Friday the 24th for a small clean wave. The bigger pulse on the 1st of August is a gamble for experts willing to deal with the chop.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Mon morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Sat morning, light winds from the NW by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 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 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
240 | 336 | 697 | 775 | 724 | 454 | 228 | 215 | 108 | 118 | 78 | 79 | 89 | 270 | 232 | 273 | 204 | 121 | 76 | 54 | 20 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | on | glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 8:16PM4.51m | 8:17AM4.89m | 9:01PM4.28m | 9:04AM4.60m | 9:48PM4.04m | 9:53AM4.27m | 10:37PM3.81m | 10:49AM3.94m | 11:32PM3.63m | 11:53AM3.69m | 00:34AM3.53m | 1:04PM3.58m | 1:39AM3.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:07PM-0.07m | 2:17AM0.78m | 2:51PM0.21m | 3:01AM1.00m | 3:36PM0.57m | 3:46AM1.23m | 4:22PM0.95m | 4:36AM1.46m | 5:14PM1.31m | 5:36AM1.63m | 6:17PM1.57m | 6:49AM1.71m | 7:30PM1.67m | ||||||||
4:50 | — | — | 4:52 | — | — | 4:52 | — | — | 4:54 | — | — | 4:56 | — | — | 4:56 | — | — | 4:58 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 22 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 21 | 20 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | — | NNE 7 | — | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | — | NNE 8 | — | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 6 |
— | — | — | — | 724 | 454 | 228 | — | 108 | — | 78 | 79 | 89 | — | 232 | — | 204 | 121 | 76 | 54 | 20 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 3 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | — | — | — | NNE 8 | — | NNE 7 | — | — | — | NNE 8 | — | NNE 8 | — | — | — | — | WNW 3 |
240 | 336 | 697 | 775 | — | — | — | 215 | — | 118 | — | — | — | 270 | — | 273 | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 106 | 106 | 106 | 106 | 223 | 0 | 20 | 106 | 1 | 521 | 575 | 0 | 1 | 106 | 20 | 196 | 236 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 415 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North East England | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Scarborough South Bay Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Scarborough South Bay provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Scarborough South Bay can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Scarborough South 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 (Scarborough South 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 Scarborough South 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.
Scarborough South Bay is 3 km (2 miles) from Scarborough. If you plan a holiday in North East England, look for hotels and other accommodation in Scarborough. Scarborough has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










