Surf Forecasts:
West Wittering surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, WSW swell with 185 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for West Wittering this week:
The most powerful waves expected at West Wittering in the next 16 days are 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for West Wittering over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the outlook for West Wittering.
Honestly, mate, we’re in for a tough stretch. This 16-day window is pretty flat. It’s not often we see such a long quiet spell, and that’s what’s on the cards here. There’s nothing to get excited about right from the start – we’re talking days and days with barely a ripple. Essentially, the surf is absent through most of August. The first real sniff of something rideable doesn’t appear until Tuesday the 1st of September, and even then it’s not a classic.
The water is sitting at a notable 71° at the start – that’s much warmer than usual for this time of year, so at least a dip will be pleasant. But the wind is a problem. Through the first week we’ve got strong westerly winds, mostly onshore or cross-onshore, gusting up to 19 mph or more. That’s just shredding any tiny bump that might try to form. There are a few morning windows around the 21st and 22nd of August with light offshore breeze and clean conditions, but the swell is so small – like 0.7 ft or 0.3 ft – that you won’t even need a board. It’s a total no-go.
All of that combined energy reading is in single digits for weeks. The combined wave energy barely cracks 9 on the 18th, and mostly sits between 0 and 7. It’s just lifeless.
Now, here’s the only glimmer – the 1st of September. Tuesday morning shows a bit of a lift: we’ve got a 5 ft swell coming from the SSW, with a period of just 5 seconds. That period is short, so it’ll be a bit shapeless and fat. Combined energy hits 102, so it’s at least got some push (moderate energy). The wind is NW at 22 mph, so it’s cross-shore – tricky but not a total write-off. The afternoon cleans up beautifully with a lighter N wind at 19 mph going cross-offshore, and the swell drops slightly to 4 ft but with a longer 8-second period, which will help the shape. The energy even bumps up to 177, so there’s definitely some welly there for a beach/groyne setup.
That Tuesday afternoon on the 1st of September is the only real standout. Swell direction from the SSW matches the optimum for West Wittering (SW), and with cleaner winds, you might find a few lumpy but ridable ones, especially as the tide does its thing. Just don’t expect perfection – it’s still a beach/groyne break, so it’ll be a bit fat, but you can get a slide in. It’s inconsistent here at the best of times, so you’ll have to sit and wait for the sets. Crowds are possible as word gets out that there’s finally some height.
For a beginner, that 5 ft in the morning is on the bigger side but not out of the question if they’re careful on a longboard, though the choppy cross-shore might be a handful. The afternoon at 4 ft is a bit better for them if they’re confident. Over 8 ft? Not an issue here. It never gets that big in this outlook. The biggest day is that 5 ft, so it’s all very humble.
Before that? Absolute flatness. After the 2nd of September, it drops back to tiny onshored slop. So if you’re keen, pencil in that Tuesday the 1st of September afternoon. Otherwise, save the petrol.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the NNW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Sun morning, min 12°C on Sun 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) | WSW 3 | SW 4 | SSW 6 | SW 5 | SSW 3 | WSW 6 | WSW 3 | SW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | SW 5 | SW 9 | SE 6 | W 6 | W 10 | ENE 3 | SE 4 | — | — | SW 2 | SSW 3 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
9 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 17 | 7 | 39 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | off | off | on | cross |
High Tide | 3:54PM4.50m | 4:10AM4.20m | 4:31PM4.13m | 4:49AM3.83m | 5:11PM3.77m | 5:36AM3.48m | 6:04PM3.45m | 6:46AM3.22m | 7:35PM3.27m | 8:52AM3.21m | 9:27PM3.39m | 10:11AM3.47m | 10:27PM3.68m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:57PM0.96m | 10:13AM1.06m | 10:42PM1.28m | 11:01AM1.42m | 11:39PM1.56m | 12:05PM1.71m | 00:52AM1.75m | 1:24PM1.85m | 2:10AM1.76m | 2:40PM1.81m | 3:18AM1.60m | 3:42PM1.62m | |||||||||
5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 8 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 19 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSW 6 | SW 5 | SW 8 | W 10 | — | — | SSW 6 | SSW 5 | E 3 | SW 6 | SE 6 | E 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 15 | 6 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 15 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 5 | SW 9 | — | W 6 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | SW 4 | WNW 2 | W 3 | SSW 3 | WSW 6 | WSW 3 | SW 4 | WNW 2 | NE 3 | — | E 3 | ENE 4 | E 4 | E 4 | ENE 3 | — | — | — | SW 2 | SSW 3 |
9 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 7 | 39 | 1 | 3 | — | 8 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 336 | 303 | 17 | 186 | 303 | 282 | 282 | 282 | 17 | 213 | 129 | 253 | 235 | 302 | 278 | 257 | 347 | 257 | 365 | 617 | 335 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Coast of England | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the West Wittering Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for West Wittering provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at West Wittering can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our West Wittering 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 (West Wittering) 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 West Wittering 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.
West Wittering is 8 km (5 miles) from Emsworth. If you plan a holiday in South Coast of England, look for hotels and other accommodation in Emsworth. Emsworth has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











