The Maze (Tiree) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, I’ve had a look at what’s on offer for The Maze (Tiree) over the next 16 days, and I’ve got to be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. The set-up here is a classic exposed beach and point, and it’s going to get a proper battering from the wind for most of the period. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild there.

The forecast kicks off on Monday the 31st of August, and straight away it’s a write-off. We’ve got a 5ft swell from the west, but that 22 mph cross-onshore wind is just shredding it. The combined energy is moderate at 655, but the conditions are poor. It’s lumpy and messy, not worth a paddle.

That theme carries right through the first week. Tuesday the 1st of September sees a jump in size to 8ft from the west-southwest, but with a screaming 28 mph cross-onshore, it’s just a washing machine. The energy jumps up to 516, but it’s pure chaos. Wednesday the 2nd is the only day that offers a glimmer of hope right now. The wind swings to a light cross-offshore from the southeast, cleaning it up, but the swell drops right off to a tiny 3ft, and the energy is weak at 121. You’d be on a longboard, scratching for scraps. It’s clean, but barely surfable.

Then it gets nasty again. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of September are a no-go. Friday is the stand-out in terms of pure power – a massive 16ft west swell with a very long 12-second period, and the energy is phenomenal at 6861. But the wind is a near gale, onshore, and it’s just dangerous. That kind of energy is pure, raw power, but it’s unridable here. Saturday the 5th is still blown out with a 7ft west swell.

The entire second week is a grim story of onshore winds and messy conditions. We get a bit of a clean-up on Tuesday the 8th of September with a cross-offshore wind, but the swell is 7ft from the west, and the energy is high at 961. Still, the wind is strong and it’s a messy, lumpy cross-chop. It’s not until the 15th of September, a Tuesday, that we finally see potential. The wind goes light cross-offshore from the south-southeast, the swell is 4ft from the west with a nice 11-second period, and the energy is moderate at 351. The guidance says it’s marginal, but with clean conditions, that could be a sneaky, fun session on the point. That’s the only real standout on the horizon, and it’s a long way off, so keep an eye on the forecast.

Bottom line: don’t bother for the first week and a half. The wind is just relentless. Tuesday the 15th is the one to watch, but it’s a long shot. Chin up, it’s Tiree – it can turn around quick.

Rusty.

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