Westward Ho Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty.

You know what, I'm lookin' at the charts for the next couple of weeks, and it's a real mixed bag of frustrations. The pattern is simple: a whole lot of flat, weak, or blown-out days, with one big, promising spike way out there that’s got my attention. But we've got to get through the quiet first.

We kick off on Friday, the 21st of August, and honestly, there's nothing to get excited about. The waves are tiny, with a weak 2ft swell from the West, and that cross-shore wind is just chopping it all up. The water is a warm 66°, which is a good couple of degrees warmer than usual for this time of year, so at least the paddle won't be a shock, but the surf is a total no-go.

The whole of the first week is a write-off. We've got a long stretch of days with minimal swell and poor conditions. The swell energy is dribbling in low. You'll see a window of glassy, clean conditions on Saturday morning, the 22nd, but the swell is just 1ft – not enough to push a floaty over. Sunday morning, the 23rd, has light offshore winds but the swell is just 1.0ft. It's a cruel tease, I tell ya. This gap of poor surf stretches all the way through to the end of August.

Then, just as we hit the start of September, the ocean starts to breathe. On Wednesday, the 2nd of September, the real kicker arrives. The forecast shows a solid 8ft to 10ft West swell. The combined energy of all swells is massive. That's serious power. Now, for a spot like Westward Ho, that's a big wave. Over 8ft, this is expert territory only. The wind is a clean offshore from the ESE, so the surface will be smooth. The period is around 9-10 seconds, which is a decent groundswell, giving good shape.

This is the standout. If you're an experienced surfer, Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd of September are your days. The swell will be big, powerful, and clean. Expect crowds, because when it's like this, everyone comes out. Thursday morning is still holding at 7ft with clean conditions, a solid option for the strong paddlers.

The end of the run, from the 4th and 5th of September, sees the swell dropping back a bit, but it's still around 6ft to 7ft. The problem is the wind swings onshore, chopping it up. Those days are a pass for the paddleboard, but it might be interesting for the kites if you're into that.

So, to sum it up: this is a long, quiet stretch with one big, powerful, and clean window at the start of September. If you've got the skills and the nerve, Wednesday the 2nd morning is the one to circle on the calendar. For the rest of the time, maybe sort your gear. The surf will be back, but patience is the name of the game here.

Rusty.

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