Surf Forecasts:
The Harbour surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, E swell with 435 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Harbour this week:
The surf forecast for The Harbour over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Harbour in the next 16 days are 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Harbour over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s look at The Harbour. It’s a beach and groyne setup, and honestly, for the next week and a half, it’s pretty much a write-off. We’re looking at a long, quiet spell. The water temp is sitting around 57°, which is pretty average for this time of year, nothing unusual there.
The first real chance of anything decent doesn’t show up until Saturday, September 5th. That’s a solid week away. We’ve got a bit of a wait.
For the first week, from Wednesday, August 26th right through to Friday, September 4th, it’s all small, weak, and messy. The swell is tiny, the energy is weak (values mostly under 100), and the wind is never on our side. The Harbour is exposed to the SE, but all we get is cross-onshore junk from the ESE. It’s poor surf, flat and choppy. There’s nothing to get excited about.
Now, Saturday, September 5th is the standout. The morning brings a clean 6ft swell from the SE, with a period of 6 seconds. That’s a bit short-period, but the energy is moderate (266). The wind is light and cross-offshore from the S, so it’ll be clean. The afternoon gets even better: 7ft from the ESE, period 7 seconds, and the energy jumps up to a solid 557. The wind stays cross-off from the SSE, still clean. This is the best on offer, but at 7ft, it’s getting into the territory where it’s more for the experienced crew. The Harbour can get a bit tricky with a short-period swell like that.
After that, it drops off again. Sunday, September 6th has a small 3ft in the morning, then it’s back to tiny, weak, and mostly clean but tiny surf for the rest of the run. The crowds are described as “sometimes” at The Harbour, so when that Saturday pulse hits, you might have some company.
So, look, it’s a long wait, but that Saturday, September 5th is the one to circle. The rest of the window is a bust.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | ||||||||||||||
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) | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | E 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 7 | N 5 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | NNW 4 | NW 4 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
72 | 75 | 66 | 98 | 157 | 275 | 315 | 171 | 69 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 28 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 20 | 10 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 1:35AM4.02m | 2:10PM3.94m | 2:08AM4.19m | 2:43PM4.06m | 2:40AM4.31m | 3:14PM4.14m | 3:12AM4.39m | 3:46PM4.17m | 3:46AM4.41m | 4:19PM4.14m | 4:21AM4.37m | 4:54PM4.05m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:24PM1.39m | 7:53AM0.93m | 7:57PM1.20m | 8:24AM0.75m | 8:29PM1.04m | 8:54AM0.62m | 9:00PM0.93m | 9:25AM0.56m | 9:32PM0.88m | 9:56AM0.57m | 10:05PM0.90m | 10:29AM0.67m | 10:41PM0.98m | |||||||
— | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | |
8:22 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 10 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 4 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | — | ESE 7 | E 7 | ENE 9 | ENE 8 | ENE 7 | E 7 | NE 5 | SE 6 | SE 8 | SE 6 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 |
1 | 75 | 66 | — | 157 | 275 | 315 | 171 | 69 | 21 | 7 | 8 | 28 | 9 | 23 | 30 | 36 | 34 | 34 | 181 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 6 | — | — | N 7 | ENE 9 | ESE 8 | ESE 7 | SE 6 | SE 6 | E 6 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | S 4 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | SE 5 | SE 5 | SSE 5 | — |
— | 1 | — | — | 1 | 47 | 206 | 47 | 17 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 6 | SSW 4 | NNE 6 | SSE 7 | E 6 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | SE 6 | SE 5 | — | SSW 4 | S 4 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 6 | — | — | ESE 6 | — | — | NW 2 | — | WNW 3 | — | N 5 | — | SSE 2 | NNE 4 | NNE 3 | — | SSW 3 | — | NNW 4 | NW 4 |
72 | — | — | 98 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | 13 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 20 | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 303 | 0 | 180 | 180 | 171 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 235 | 227 | 227 | 227 | 60 | 58 | 58 | 58 | 165 | 615 | 73 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - East Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Harbour Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Harbour provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Harbour can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Harbour 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 (The Harbour) 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 The Harbour 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 Scotland - East Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near The Harbour, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Scotland - East Coast, consider staying in Aberdeen which is 3 km (2 miles) away. Other places in and around Scotland - East Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Charlestown which is 6 km (4 miles) away, Peterhead, Montrose and Fraserburgh.











