Westward Ho Surf Break

Lat Long: 51.05° N 4.23° W

Westward Ho Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 18 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Westward Ho sea temperature is
19.0° C
2.4° 

Westward Ho surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Westward Ho surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, W swell with 359 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period with W swell.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Westward Ho this week:

The surf forecast for Westward Ho over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.5m and 4s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Westward Ho in the next 16 days are 1.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Fri 21st Aug)3ft (0.9m) 9s
Best Surf 4AM (Fri 21st Aug)3ft (0.9m) 9s
Most Powerful 4PM (Thu 20th Aug)5ft (1.5m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Westward Ho over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Right, I've had a look at what's coming up for Westward Ho! over the next couple of weeks, and I've got to be straight with you, it's looking pretty bleak for a proper paddle. The combined energy figures tell the story – we're looking at weak to moderate energy at best, with the biggest pulse hitting about 640 on the 1st of September, but that's coupled with some horrendous wind. The water temperature is a balmy 66°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won't be freezing while you're sitting there staring at choppy lumps.

The trouble starts straight away. Tuesday the 18th kicks off with a 5ft swell from the west, but a strong cross-onshore breeze is making it a messy, choppy affair. The energy is a moderate 176, but the wind is killing it. That trend sticks around for days. Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th bring a bit more size, up to 6ft on Thursday morning with energy hitting 315, but it's cross-onshore again, so you're just battling a bumpy surface. Everything's getting a 0 score for a reason – it's just not surfable for a decent ride.

We finally get a brief window of something a little cleaner on Friday the 21st. The morning has a light cross-offshore breeze from the NE at 9 mph, and the swell is tiny, only 2ft. The energy is weak at 81, but the conditions are reported as clean. It's surfable but very ordinary, barely a knee-high dribbler. Saturday morning the 22nd is even smaller, 1ft, but you get a gentle offshore wind from the ESE at 9 mph. The energy is a paltry 57, but the wave comment says it's clean. For a complete beginner on a foamie, you might find a little gutless roller to practice your pop-up on, but don't expect to be hanging ten.

After that, it just flatlines. The rest of the month and into the start of September sees swell heights dropping to 0.7ft with energy figures in the teens and twenties. The wind shifts around, but there's just no power in the water. Even when a 3ft swell shows up on the 25th of August with 191 energy, it's accompanied by a fresh cross-shore breeze, so it's lumpy and messy.

The only time we see a notable pulse is on the 1st of September. The combined energy jumps right up to 640 and 692 on the Tuesday, with swell heights of 8ft and 8ft from the W/SW. But look at the wind – fresh cross-onshore, making it lumpy and blown out. At that size with those winds, Westward Ho! is going to be a washing machine. The period is only 8 seconds, so it's windswell, not groundswell, so you won't get that long, clean wall. That's more of a kite-surfing setup than anything you'd want to paddle out into unless you're an expert looking for a real beating, and even then the quality looks awful. The same goes for the 2nd of September with 6ft and cross-onshore winds.

Honestly, if you're determined to get wet, the very early mornings of Friday 21st or Saturday 22nd of August offer the only real chance of something clean, but it's tiny. Otherwise, we've got a long, blank run of poor surf ahead. The forecasts can change, but for now, leave the board in the car.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 13°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed afternoon, light winds from the N by Thu night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sat 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
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.4
W
7
1.1
W
6
1.2
W
6
0.8
W
6
1
W
9
1.8
W
7
1.7
W
7
1.5
W
9
1
W
9
0.7
W
8
0.6
W
8
0.7
NW
5
0.4
W
10
0.4
W
9
0.4
W
9
0.3
W
9
0.3
W
9
0.6
NNW
4
0.3
W
8
0.3
W
9
0.3
W
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
171
94
116
47
162
312
311
359
159
66
46
22
29
26
25
14
14
10
13
14
12
Wind (km/h)
20
WNW
25
WNW
20
W
15
W
30
W
25
WSW
25
WNW
25
WNW
10
N
15
NE
25
NNW
10
NNW
15
ESE
20
NNE
10
NNE
10
ENE
15
N
5
NNW
10
S
15
WNW
10
S
Wind State
cross-on
on
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
10:23AM7.52m
10:42PM7.35m
11:01AM6.95m
11:22PM6.68m
11:44AM6.37m
00:10AM6.06m
12:40PM5.85m
1:18AM5.59m
2:03PM5.55m
2:54AM5.47m
3:38PM5.68m
4:17AM5.77m
4:46PM6.14m
Low Tide
4:23PM1.26m
4:44AM1.59m
5:02PM1.85m
5:25AM2.19m
5:49PM2.45m
6:17AM2.75m
6:55PM2.94m
7:36AM3.12m
8:31PM3.14m
9:15AM3.11m
10:01PM2.91m
10:30AM2.74m
11:03PM2.44m
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rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
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part cloud
clear
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clear
rain showers
part cloud
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rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
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clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:07
6:07
6:09
6:11
6:13
6:15
6:16
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:32
8:30
8:29
8:27
8:24
8:22
8:21
 mm
2
1
1
4
2
2
Temp °C
18
18
17
18
18
16
17
16
15
16
16
15
19
18
16
18
17
17
19
18
15
Feels °C
17
15
15
14
13
12
13
12
12
13
11
12
15
13
13
14
13
15
17
15
14
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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Information about the Westward Ho Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Westward Ho provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Westward Ho can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Westward Ho 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 (Westward Ho) 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 Westward Ho 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.

Westward Ho is 2 km (1 miles) from Appledore. If you plan a holiday in North Devon, look for hotels and other accommodation in Appledore. Appledore has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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