Surf Forecasts:
Scratby surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, N swell with 190 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Scratby this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Scratby in the next 16 days are 1.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Scratby over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get this straight. I’ve looked at the charts for the next couple of weeks, and honestly, it’s a bit of a grind for us. There are no proper swells on the horizon, and we’re looking at a whole lot of small, weak surf. If you’re desperate for a paddle, there’s a tiny window, but keep your expectations in the gutter.
The first real chance of anything even remotely rideable is on Friday the 21st. We’ve got some north swell pushing in around 4ft, but the wind is howling from the north at 19 mph, making it lumpy and cross-chop. The energy is still weak, coming in at 144, so it’s not going to be pretty. It’s a morning session for the truly keen, but I wouldn’t call it good. This is a day for the beach, not for a high-performance board.
Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd see the swell stick around, but it’s a bit smaller and still messy. Saturday has 4ft of northerly windswell, but that wind stays on it, keeping it crumbly. The combined energy is moderate, sitting at 187, but with the cross-shore wind, it’ll be a battle. Sunday is much the same, but a bit smaller again, with the period dropping to 7 seconds. These waves are going to be short-period and unruly at the beach break.
The water is a big story here. At Scratby, we’re looking at 68° water, which is a massive 5° warmer than average for this time of year. That’s a seriously warm bath and a nice bonus, but it doesn't make up for the lack of surf.
Then we hit a real dead zone. From Monday the 24th through to the end of the month, the swell just tanks. We’re talking ankle-biters and flat spells. There are days where the energy is in double digits, and a few where it’s even less. The wind is all over the place, but with no swell to push, it doesn't matter. This is a week to do other things, because the ocean is going to be a lake.
Looking into the first week of September, there’s a hint of something from the south with a bit longer period, but it’s so small and inconsistent it’s not even worth a mention. This is a blank run, folks. It’s a dead period for us, and it looks like it will stay that way for a while. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d say find a skateboard or fix your fins.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 | N 6 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 0 | 144 | 127 | 161 | 187 | 159 | 110 | 135 | 103 | 81 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 00:11AM2.22m | 12:09PM2.56m | 00:51AM2.11m | 1:00PM2.34m | 1:40AM2.00m | 2:03PM2.13m | 2:44AM1.90m | 3:20PM1.97m | 3:58AM1.85m | 4:38PM1.90m | 5:09AM1.90m | 5:47PM1.91m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:27PM0.06m | 6:30AM0.51m | 7:03PM0.33m | 7:07AM0.64m | 7:40PM0.60m | 7:46AM0.79m | 8:22PM0.85m | 8:35AM0.95m | 9:20PM1.04m | 9:59AM1.07m | 11:18PM1.12m | 12:13PM1.01m | 00:46AM1.01m | |||||||
 |  |  | |  | | |  |  | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — |
 | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:02 | — |
mm | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | S 4 | NNE 6 | N 6 | N 6 | N 6 | SSE 4 | N 7 | N 8 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | — | N 7 |
| kJ | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 20 | 6 | 16 | 18 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 93 | — | 81 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | — | N 7 | N 7 | — | — | — | N 7 | S 4 | S 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | 16 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NE 4 | N 8 | — | S 6 | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 3 | WNW 3 | NW 3 | NNW 6 | W 3 | SSW 4 | — | WSW 3 | — | N 6 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | 6 | 5 | 27 | 4 | 8 | — | 1 | — | 78 | 144 | 127 | 161 | 187 | 159 | 110 | 135 | 103 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 661 | 678 | 420 | 581 | 452 | 581 | 565 | 296 | 228 | 429 | 179 | 333 | 195 | 179 | 296 | 195 | 186 | 199 | 195 | 186 |
Best forecast wave conditions in East Anglia | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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