Westward Ho Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Westward Ho! over the next couple of weeks. Gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead. For the first ten days or so, we’re looking at a real dry spell with hardly anything worth paddling out for. The wind just won’t play ball, and even when there’s a bit of size, it’s messy.

We kick off on Wednesday, 26th August with tiny, weak 2ft swell from the west, period a low 9 seconds. Combined energy is a paltry 41 (weak). A few clouds around, wind is cross-off from the SSE at 9 mph – it’s clean, but there’s simply no power. That afternoon goes glassy with the wind dropping to 3 mph, but the swell drops even more to 1ft and energy down to 24. It’s a frustrating start.

Thursday the 27th is even smaller, with 1.0ft and a short 7-second period, energy barely reaching 12. Light rain and cross-shore winds. Nothing doing. Friday the 28th sees a bump up to 4ft from the WSW, but the period is a terrible 5 seconds and it’s cross-on at 16-19 mph. That’s choppy, lumpy, and just no fun. Energy climbs a bit to 58-71, but the quality is poor.

The weekend looks bigger but uglier. Saturday the 29th brings 5ft in the morning and 8ft by the afternoon, both from the WSW, period only 7-8 seconds. The wind is howling cross-on from the SSW/SW at 22-28 mph. The combined energy jumps to 209 and then a hefty 645 (moderate to strong), but that’s just a messy, blown-out wall. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle session. Sunday the 30th is still 6ft with a better 10-second period, and energy at 557, but it’s cross-shore or cross-on with a risk of thunderstorms. Still no good.

Monday the 31st has 7ft swell from the west with an 8-second period, energy at 559, but onshore wind from the WNW at 19 mph. That’s a big, lumpy close-out for most. Tuesday 1st September stays similar – 6ft, cross-on, onshore wind. Wednesday 2nd drops back to 4ft, still cross-on and fresh. The pattern of poor conditions just keeps rolling.

Finally, we get a small glimmer on Friday, 4th September. The morning shows 4ft from the west with a lovely 10-second period – that’s proper groundswell energy. Combined energy is 302 (moderate), and the wind is light from the SW at just 3 mph. It’s listed as “marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions,” scoring a 1 out of 10. The wind is light cross-on, so it’s not perfect, but after ten days of junk, this is the first time the ocean has any shape to it. The afternoon sees the wind shift NW at 9 mph, turning it cross-on and choppier. So if you’re going to pick a session in this whole grim outlook, Friday morning is the one – but keep expectations low.

Saturday 5th September is back to small, cross-shore chop. Then Sunday 6th September brings tiny 2ft swell but with offshore wind from the east at 6 mph in the morning, and glassy conditions in the afternoon with a 3 mph ESE breeze. Combined energy is only 60-75, but it’s clean. That afternoon glass-off would be a pleasant, mellow little session if you’re desperate for a paddle – but it’s not a standout.

Monday 7th September is a big red flag: 10ft swell from the west with a 10-second period, but the combined energy is a massive 2047 (very strong). The wind is cross-on from the SSW at 16-22 mph. That’s a heavy, messy, dangerous close-out. Only for experts with a death wish, and even then, the wind ruins it. Tuesday 8th September drops back to 5ft, but it’s onshore again.

The very end of the run, Wednesday 9th September morning, gives us 3ft from the west, 8-second period, energy 88, but glassy conditions with a 3 mph southerly. That’s another clean but tiny window. The afternoon goes onshore again.

To be honest, there’s no true standout in this 16-day window. The best of a bad bunch is Friday 4th September morning – it’s the only time we see a decent period (10 seconds) with manageable wind. Everything else is either too small, too windy, or too big and messy. If you’re a beginner, stay out of the water after the 28th until things settle. For the rest of us, keep an eye on the 4th, but don’t hold your breath. Forecasts can change, but right now it’s a long, quiet stretch.

Rusty.

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