Surf Forecasts:
Scratby surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period, NNW swell with 187 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period with NNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Scratby this week:
The surf forecast for Scratby over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 6s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Scratby in the next 16 days are 1.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Scratby over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s not sugarcoat it: the next couple of weeks are looking pretty bare for a proper paddle. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak, and messy surf ahead. The silver lining is that it won’t stay flat forever, and there are a couple of windows where the conditions will line up for a fun session if you’re willing to wait.
The immediate forecast is a write-off. We’re looking at a solid week of nothing but knee-high slop and cross-shore chop, with the swell energy sitting in the doldrums—values of 2 to 18 in the combined energy department. The water’s running at about 68°F, which is a few degrees warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least it’ll be comfortable while you’re getting skunked.
The first real glimmer of hope shows up on the morning of Wednesday, August 19th. We’ve got a fresh offshore breeze, and the swell bumps up to 3 feet from the NW with a period of 7 seconds. It’s not big, but the wind’s cleaning it up nicely. The energy jumps to 77, which is still weak, but it’s the first sign of life. Don’t get too excited, it’s still just a marginal wave.
The standout of the whole window, by a long shot, is the morning of Thursday, August 20th. The swell pushes to 3 feet from the north with an 8-second period, and we’ve got light, cross-offshore winds that’ll keep the face tidy. Combined energy hits 111, which finally puts us in “moderate” territory. This is your best bet for a proper surf. It’s not huge, but it’s clean, and that makes all the difference. If you can only get out once in the next two weeks, make it this one.
After that, it gets frustrating again. We’ve got a few days with surfable but ordinary waves, but the winds turn onshore and chop everything up. Sunday, August 23rd sees the swell push to 5 feet, with energy up to 246, but the cross-onshore wind is going to make it a messy, bumpy mess. That one’s more for the kitesurfers than the paddle surfers.
We then hit a proper dead spell from August 24th to 26th—surf drops back to under 3 feet with onshore winds and poor energy. The 27th shows a late push, with the morning looking glassy and clean with a 4 feet swell from the SSE, but the period is a short 5 seconds, so it’ll be soft and won’t have much punch. The afternoon on that day jumps to 6 feet, but the cross-onshore kills it.
The final few days of the window, the 28th and 29th, are pretty much flat as a tack. The swell energy is down to near zero and the wind is howling. It’s just a blank run.
So, here’s the deal: the tide’s gonna turn eventually. Forecasts this far out are always a bit of a gamble, but for now, the Thursday morning of the 20th is your only real standout. Get out there if you can, otherwise be patient. This too shall pass.
– Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Mon morning, fresh winds from the W by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | N 10 | N 9 | N 10 | NNW 4 | N 9 | N 5 | NNE 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | NNE 6 | N 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 54 | 19 | 29 | 131 | 159 | 126 | 92 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 10:19PM2.40m | 10:01AM2.93m | 10:58PM2.36m | 10:43AM2.89m | 11:34PM2.30m | 11:25AM2.76m | 00:11AM2.22m | 12:09PM2.56m | 00:51AM2.11m | 1:00PM2.34m | 1:40AM2.00m | 2:03PM2.13m | 2:44AM1.90m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:33PM-0.35m | 4:40AM0.32m | 5:12PM-0.32m | 5:17AM0.35m | 5:50PM-0.17m | 5:54AM0.41m | 6:27PM0.06m | 6:30AM0.51m | 7:03PM0.33m | 7:07AM0.64m | 7:40PM0.60m | 7:46AM0.79m | 8:22PM0.85m | ||||||||
5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | |
— | 8:22 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 25 | 23 | 23 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | N 8 | ENE 4 | N 10 | — | N 9 | N 9 | NNE 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | NNE 6 | N 8 | — | N 8 | NNW 7 | S 5 | — | N 7 | N 8 |
1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | — | 6 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 10 | — | 19 | 29 | 2 | — | 126 | 92 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 10 | N 9 | — | — | — | — | N 8 | N 6 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 7 | S 4 | NNE 6 | S 5 | — | N 8 | — | — | — | — |
1 | 2 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | N 8 | — | N 8 | N 8 | — | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNE 2 | — | N 3 | NNW 4 | N 4 | N 5 | — | — | — | — | SSE 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 8 | WNW 3 | WSW 3 | NNW 6 | N 7 | — | — |
— | 1 | — | 5 | 13 | 3 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 6 | 3 | 54 | 11 | 6 | 131 | 159 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 411 | 421 | 472 | 747 | 655 | 572 | 603 | 662 | 580 | 632 | 383 | 751 | 601 | 584 | 601 | 678 | 340 | 0 | 114 | 179 | 111 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Anglia | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Scratby Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Scratby provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Scratby can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Scratby 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 (Scratby) 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 Scratby 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.
Scratby is 4 km (2 miles) from the city of Great Yarmouth. If you plan a holiday in East Anglia, look for hotels and other accommodation in Great Yarmouth. Great Yarmouth has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











