West Wittering Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for West Wittering over the next couple of weeks.

I’ve got to be straight with you – this is a tough stretch. The whole 16-day window is a real struggle for surfable waves. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with almost nothing to get excited about. The forecast is basically a series of flat days with tiny, weak swell and a lot of wind that’s either onshore or cross-shore, making a mess of things. The water temp is sitting at 71°F, which is a whopping 8°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s a standout all on its own, but it doesn’t do much for the waves.

For the first week and a half, from Friday 21st August right through to Wednesday 2nd September, it’s a total write-off. Swell heights are barely a ripple, mostly under 0.7ft, with periods so short they’re barely a pulse. The combined energy is laughable, often in the single digits or low teens (like 3, 1, 2, or 5 – that’s weak stuff). The wind is a constant problem – either onshore or cross-onshore, with speeds from 9 mph right up to a strong 25 mph. Even when it goes offshore or glassy, there’s just no swell to work with. It’s a frustrating run of poor surf conditions.

We finally get a tiny glimmer of hope on Thursday 3rd September. The morning shows a 5ft swell from the SSW with a period of 7 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 165 (moderate energy). The wind is glassy – calm, 0 mph – which is a major positive for clean conditions. This is the best window in the entire 16-day forecast, but it’s still only rated as “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” The swell is a bit short-period, so it won’t have the power of a proper groundswell. For a beach/groyne setup like West Wittering, the offshore direction is fine, but it’s not a standout session. It’s a one-morning-only thing, too – by the afternoon the wind swings onshore again.

After that, it’s back to the doldrums. The rest of the 3rd, the 4th, and into the 5th of September gives us tiny, weak swells and onshore or cross-onshore winds. The energy drops back to single digits. It’s a real flat spell.

So, the one and only recommendation I can give is to target the morning of Thursday 3rd September. Head out early for a clean, glassy session on a 5ft SSW swell. It’s not going to be epic, but it’s the only time the stars align even a little. Otherwise, the rest of the 16 days is a bust. For a spot that’s inconsistent at the best of times, this blank run is a bit of a classic for the area, but it won’t stay poor forever. Keep an eye on the forecasts.

Rusty.

Read more