Surf Forecasts:
Whitby surf forecast from 14 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s period, NNE swell with 326 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period with NNE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Whitby this week:
The surf forecast for Whitby over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Whitby in the next 16 days are 1.6m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Whitby over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. Straight up, I’ll be honest with you—this is a lean stretch. We’ve got a long dry spell before anything even starts to breathe, and even then, it’s not going to set the world on fire. The first proper chance to get wet doesn’t roll around until Thursday the 20th of August, and that’s just a glimmer. Before that, it’s pretty much flat or junk from now through Wednesday the 19th.
Looking at the bigger picture, the end of the first week and the start of the second week is where the energy finally shows up, but it’s a messy, short-period north swell that’s going to need the right conditions to even be surfable. The combined energy of all swells directed here climbs into the moderate range, hitting 318 (combined energy) on Thursday the 20th, but it’s a short, 8-second period, so it’s not going to have that nice, lined-up feel.
The water temperature is sitting at 61.9°F at the start, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the thickest winter suit at home.
The Best on Offer (and it’s a tight race)
The only real standout is Thursday morning, the 20th of August. Whitby is a beach/pier setup, and it’s a fairly exposed spot, which is a good thing when the swell is coming from the north-northeast. We’re looking at a 5.2 ft swell from the NNE, with a period of 8 seconds. The wind is a light westerly, coming cross-offshore, which will keep the surface clean. That’s a rare combination in this forecast. The combined energy is moderate at 318 (combined energy), so there’s enough push for a decent wave, but it’s not a freight train. Keep in mind, this is a consistent spot, so you can expect company. It’s not for beginners at this size—5.2 ft with that short period will be a bit of a handful.
Sunday the 23rd of August (morning) sees the biggest swell of the window, with 6.2 ft from the north, but it’s a no-go. The wind is onshore from the northeast, making it messy and lumpy. The combined energy is strong at 500 (combined energy), but with that wind, it’s a write-off for surfing. Good for the kite crew, maybe.
Things taper off quickly after that. By Tuesday the 25th, we’re back to wind-affected, small junk. So, honestly, if you’ve got a flexible schedule, set your alarm for Thursday the 20th. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only time the stars even partially align.
Stay safe out there.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Mon afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Mon morning, min 11°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Mon morning, fresh winds from the W by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 8 | N 6 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 31 | 28 | 33 | 28 | 26 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 19 | 21 | 34 | 20 | 104 | 143 | 238 | 318 | 318 | 277 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | off |
High Tide | 6:12PM5.62m | 6:18AM5.90m | 6:52PM5.53m | 6:58AM5.82m | 7:29PM5.36m | 7:36AM5.63m | 8:06PM5.12m | 8:14AM5.35m | 8:44PM4.86m | 8:56AM5.01m | 9:27PM4.60m | 9:45AM4.66m | 10:19PM4.38m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:05PM0.46m | 00:16AM1.14m | 12:46PM0.49m | 00:54AM1.20m | 1:25PM0.68m | 1:30AM1.34m | 2:01PM0.99m | 2:06AM1.56m | 2:38PM1.36m | 2:43AM1.83m | 3:17PM1.77m | 3:25AM2.13m | 4:02PM2.17m | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | |  | | |  | | | |  | | | | |  | |
 | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — |
 | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:23 | — |
mm | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 23 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
Feels °C | 24 | 25 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 4 | N 5 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | — | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 |
| kJ | 6 | 28 | 33 | 28 | 26 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 19 | 21 | 34 | 20 | — | 29 | 238 | 318 | 318 | 277 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | ESE 4 | E 4 | E 5 | — | N 4 | — | — | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 31 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | — | — | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | — | — | NNW 4 | N 4 | — | N 4 | N 4 | — | — | SSE 2 | S 2 | W 3 | W 3 | W 3 | NNW 8 | N 6 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | 5 | 5 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 104 | 143 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 397 | 519 | 546 | 559 | 778 | 379 | 379 | 440 | 488 | 440 | 440 | 490 | 431 | 323 | 567 | 40 | 77 | 0 | 0 | 77 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North East England | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Whitby Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Whitby provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Whitby can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Whitby 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 (Whitby) 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 Whitby 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.
Are you planning a holiday in North East England? If you are looking for accommodation near Whitby, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in North East England, consider staying in Waverley which is 1 km (1 miles) away. Other places in and around North East England where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Whitby which is 1 km (1 miles) away, Scarborough, Guisborough and Redcar.
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