Whitby Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

To be brutally honest, the next 16 days are a real write-off for Whitby. There's a long, painful gap at the start with absolutely nothing worth paddling out for. The first few days offer nothing but tiny, choppy, or onshore junk. We're looking at a stretch of poor surf conditions from the 2nd right through to the 11th of August. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 62°, but that's about the only positive.

Tuesday the 4th of August is the first time we see a pulse of energy, with a combined swell energy of 174 (moderate) and a 4 ft swell from the ENE. The wind goes glassy in the afternoon, which is a nice change. But it's still a short-period, weak swell, and the wave comment sums it up: "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions." It's a glimmer, but not a standout.

The 6th of August sees another moderate pulse of energy (103) with a 3 ft north swell, but the wind is messy and cross-shore, spoiling it. The 7th and 8th are similar stories – a little bit of energy (146 and 115) but the wind is never quite right, and the quality is just average.

Then we hit another dry spell. From the 9th through to the 15th, it's tiny, poor, and mostly cross-on shore. The wave heights barely tickle 2 ft, and the combined energy is weak, often in the double digits. It's a frustrating stretch of flatness.

The only real blip of potential comes on Sunday the 16th of August. The morning shows a 5 ft north swell with a solid combined energy of 326 (strong). That's the biggest swell of the whole period. The problem is the wind: it's a light cross-on shore. The wave comment says "marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions." For a beach/pier setup like Whitby, an onshore wind on a bigger swell is going to chop it up. It might have some power, but it won't be clean. Given the size (5 ft), it's getting a bit much for beginners.

The 17th of August fades back into small, weak, and clean but tiny surf.

The best on offer? Honestly, there isn't a true standout. If I had to pick a window, the Tuesday the 4th of August afternoon glass-off is the most user-friendly moment, but it's small. The Sunday the 16th of August morning has the most size and power, but the wind is a real downer. That's the pick of a grim bunch.

Hang in there, crew. The forecasts can change, but this run looks bleak.

- Rusty

Read more