Surf Forecasts:
Withernsea surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, NNE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, N swell with 355 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period with NNE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Withernsea this week:
The surf forecast for Withernsea over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 10PM. 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 Withernsea in the next 16 days are 1.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Withernsea over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let me level with you straight up. I’ve been staring at this forecast for Withernsea, and honestly, there’s nothing to get excited about. The whole 16-day window from August 17th through to September 1st is basically a write-off for a proper paddle.
We start on Monday, August 17th with a tiny 0.7 ft swell from the north. The water is a balmy 66°F, which is a whopping 5°F warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s really unusual, you’d swear you were somewhere else. But the surf? Forget it. It’s glassy in the morning, but the wave energy is just 5 (weak). There’s nothing to ride.
The next few days barely tick over. Tuesday and Wednesday see a bit of clean cross-off wind, but we’re still stuck on a 2 ft top with a short period of 8 seconds. The energy creeps up to 42 (still weak). It’s not enough. By Thursday the 20th, the wind swings hard onshore from the north, and what little swell there is gets chopped to bits.
Friday the 21st is the biggest we’ll see all week, with a 5 ft north swell. The energy jumps to 331 (moderate), but the wind is a fresh onshore breeze at 19 mph, making it lumpy and messy. That’s not surfable, that’s a washing machine. For any beginner, anything over 5 ft is too much, and with the wind howling, it’s a no-go. For the experts, it’s still ugly.
Saturday the 22nd is a bit of a tease. The swell holds at 5 ft, but the wind switches to a light cross-shore, giving it a 1/10 score. That’s marginal, and honestly, with the short 8-second period, it’s just not going to shape up. Not worth the drive.
From Sunday the 23rd onward, it’s a rapid decline. The swell drops to 4 ft, then 3 ft, and by the end of August we’re looking at 0.3 ft dribble. The period occasionally gets long—like on September 1st, we see a 20-second period from the north with a 0.3 ft swell. That’s a classic long-period groundswell, but it’s a whisper. No height, no energy (9). That’s a lake, not a wave.
So, the honest truth? There is no standout. There is no best day. The entire 16-day forecast is a blank run. For an area like Withernsea, this kind of flat spell isn’t abnormal, but it doesn’t make it any less frustrating. A kite surfer might eye the Friday 21st if they’re desperate, but for a paddle surfer? Leave the board in the car.
Stay patient, boys. The forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Very mild (max 16°C on Thu morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 5 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | N 6 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | NNE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 15 | 31 | 40 | 27 | 42 | 133 | 339 | 331 | 295 | 270 | 295 | 273 | 212 | 163 | 159 | 151 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:58PM4.61m | 9:06AM4.83m | 9:35PM4.32m | 9:48AM4.44m | 10:15PM4.01m | 10:37AM4.04m | 11:06PM3.72m | 11:41AM3.71m | 00:17AM3.52m | 1:06PM3.53m | 1:44AM3.50m | 2:32PM3.57m | 2:59AM3.70m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:51PM0.25m | 3:01AM0.80m | 3:28PM0.67m | 3:39AM1.07m | 4:07PM1.11m | 4:21AM1.37m | 4:52PM1.53m | 5:13AM1.67m | 5:51PM1.86m | 6:26AM1.88m | 7:15PM2.01m | 8:03AM1.88m | 8:44PM1.92m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | |  | | | | |  |  |  | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — |
 | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:12 | — |
mm | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 15 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 |
Feels °C | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 7 | N 5 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | N 8 | — | — | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | NNE 8 |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 15 | 31 | 40 | 27 | 42 | — | — | — | — | 140 | — | — | 212 | 163 | 159 | 151 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | N 6 | N 8 | — | — | SSE 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 11 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | N 6 | — | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSE 2 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | W 3 | W 3 | — | — | W 2 | N 6 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 5 | — | — | 1 | 133 | 339 | 331 | 295 | 270 | 295 | 273 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 419 | 461 | 597 | 319 | 595 | 348 | 463 | 1 | 322 | 52 | 521 | 172 | 172 | 172 | 65 | 38 | 95 | 0 | 135 | 290 | 38 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North East England | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Withernsea Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Withernsea provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Withernsea can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Withernsea 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 (Withernsea) 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 Withernsea 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 Withernsea, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in North East England, consider staying in Easington which is 7 km (4 miles) away. Other places in and around North East England where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Grimsby which is 18 km (11 miles) away, Cleethorpes, Immingham and Killingholme.
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