Surf Forecasts:
The Left surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 11s period, W swell with 670 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 12s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Left this week:
The surf forecast for The Left over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Left in the next 16 days are 1.7m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 10PM. 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 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Left over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, surf’s up… or it will be. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks at The Left.
To be straight with you, the next week and a half is looking pretty grim. We’ve got a real dry spell on our hands. From now through the 29th of August, it’s mostly small, weak, and messy. There’s a bit of energy around the 19th and 20th, with some chest to head-high swell, but it’s coming in with onshore and cross-shore winds, making it a washing machine out there. Nothing worth getting excited about, and definitely not worth paddling out for.
We see a little pulse of cleaner conditions on the 24th, with some northwest groundswell and a cross-offshore wind, but the size is just not there. It’s a tease more than anything.
Then, things get interesting. The real standout is Sunday, the 30th of August. The Left (Bali) is going to light up. We’re looking at a solid 14.8ft of west-northwest swell with a strong energy reading. The wind is forecast to be light, offshore, and clean. This is a big, powerful, expert-only day. The energy will be immense, and it’s going to barrel. This is the one to circle on the calendar. It’s a week and a half out, so don’t book your flights yet, but the potential is huge.
The Left itself is a consistent point break, so it handles these big swells well. It’s an intermediate-to-expert wave normally, but at this size, it’s strictly for the experienced crew. Expect a crowd, as word will get out. Its optimum swell direction is from the northwest, so this west-northwest swell is right in its wheelhouse.
In the days after, the swell drops but the quality holds. The 31st of August and the 2nd of September both have clean, offshore winds with smaller, more manageable surf in the 4ft to 6ft range. The 31st looks like a great follow-up day for those who missed the big one or want something a step down. The 2nd of September also looks like a clean, fun day.
Water temp is about average for this time of year, no real surprises there.
So, keep the board in the car, be patient. The waiting game will pay off with a proper session on the 30th.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 23mm), heaviest during Mon night. Very mild (max 15°C on Tue afternoon, min 11°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Mon night, calm by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 14°C on Sun afternoon, min 10°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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 | N 8 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | N 7 | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 9 | N 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNE 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | W 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 24 | 29 | 285 | 448 | 300 | 124 | 306 | 313 | 254 | 284 | 263 | 165 | 238 | 75 | 93 | 35 | 54 | 44 | 56 | 303 | 651 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:10PM4.35m | 1:17AM4.51m | 1:52PM4.13m | 2:06AM4.17m | 2:44PM3.95m | 3:10AM3.88m | 3:54PM3.84m | 4:38AM3.72m | 5:18PM3.86m | 6:14AM3.76m | 6:34PM4.01m | 7:22AM3.94m | 7:29PM4.24m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:55AM1.57m | 7:03PM1.99m | 7:36AM1.93m | 7:49PM2.25m | 8:23AM2.27m | 8:51PM2.49m | 9:29AM2.54m | 10:25PM2.60m | 11:03AM2.65m | 00:01AM2.49m | 12:23PM2.55m | 1:05AM2.25m | 1:18PM2.35m | 1:49AM1.97m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  | |  |  | | | |  | | | | | | |
 | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — |
 | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:37 | — |
mm | 7 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 |
Feels °C | 12 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 8 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | N 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | NNE 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 11 | W 11 |
| kJ | 24 | 29 | 285 | 448 | 300 | 123 | 72 | 46 | 25 | 12 | 12 | 165 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 35 | 54 | 44 | 31 | 303 | 651 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | E 5 | N 7 | — | — | — | — | ENE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 6 | N 8 | NNE 8 | WNW 12 | NE 7 | NNE 7 |
| kJ | 12 | 13 | 26 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 21 | 31 | 19 | 56 | 12 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | W 4 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 9 | — | W 7 | — | W 17 | WNW 9 | NNW 6 | — | NNE 7 | — | — |
| kJ | 7 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | 6 | 26 | 6 | — | 17 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 5 | — | — | NE 7 | NNE 7 | N 7 | N 7 | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 9 | WNW 4 | NNW 9 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | — | — | — | — | ENE 7 |
| kJ | 50 | — | — | 67 | 73 | 124 | 306 | 313 | 254 | 284 | 263 | 15 | 238 | 75 | 93 | 12 | — | — | — | — | 15 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 10 | 21 | 0 | 32 | 32 | 87 | 355 | 751 | 239 | 87 | 239 | 222 | 222 | 222 | 63 | 63 | 63 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Scotland - North Coast | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Left Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Left provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Left can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The Left 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 Left) 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 Left 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 - North Coast? If you are looking for accommodation near The Left, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Scotland - North Coast, consider staying in Scrabster which is 7 km (4 miles) away. Other places in and around Scotland - North Coast where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Wick which is 38 km (24 miles) away and Kirkwall, 56 km (35 miles) away.
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