The Maze (Tiree) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then folks, Rusty here. I’ve got to be straight with you – the next 16 days on Tiree are a grim watch for anyone who wants to get a wave. It’s not a case of picking the best of a bad bunch; it’s just plain bad. The Maze (Tiree) is a beach and point setup that needs a clean W swell, but we’re getting hammered by cross-onshore winds and slop for the vast majority of the forecast. The water is sitting at 58°, which is about average for the time of year – nothing to get excited about there.

The first nine days from the 28th of July right through to the 5th of August are a write-off. The wind is mostly a strong to moderate breeze coming from the SSW, SW, or WNW, and it’s cross-on. That means every day is a battle with a messy, choppy, lumpy surface. The swell is there, with the combined energy hitting moderate values like 379 and 291 (moderate wave energy), but the 5ft to 6ft of swell is being wrecked by the wind. The period is short, mostly 6 to 8 seconds, so it’s weak, wind-affected junk. It’s an absolute no-go.

The 6th of August, Thursday morning, gives a little flicker of hope. The wind swings to a NNE direction at 15 mph, giving us a cross-offshore state. The data says “clean.” The swell is tiny though, only 3ft from the N with a pathetic 5-second period, and the energy is a weak 61. It’s a clean ankle-snapper, but not worth paddling out for.

The 8th of August, Saturday, sees a pulse of W swell building to 5ft with a 9-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 402 (moderate wave energy). The wind is light from the W at 9 mph and onshore, so the surface is unknown but likely lumpy. It's the biggest swell of the run, but the quality is still rated as poor. It’s a frustrating one because the power is there, but the wind and direction are wrong.

The only real standout – and I use the term loosely – is the morning of the 10th of August, Monday. The wind drops to a light breeze from the NNE at 6 mph, giving us a clean cross-offshore. The swell is a weak 3ft from the WSW, but the period stretches out to a snappy 10 seconds, and the combined energy sits at 134 (moderate wave energy). The data says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” It’s the only day that gets a score of 1 out of 10. For a picky surfer, this is the only window where you might get a clean, waist-high wave if you’re desperate. The crowds are only “sometimes” a problem here, so you’ll have it to yourself.

After that, it’s back to cross-on misery and tiny, weak dribble for the rest of the run. Honestly, for a spot that’s “fairly consistent,” this is a shocking run. It likely won’t stay this poor for long, but right now, I’d not even bother looking at the water. The winds are strong and onshore, the swell is messy, and there’s not a single window that’s going to get your heart racing. For a beach and point break with this much wind, it’s looking more like a kite session than a paddle.

Rusty.

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