Laying the blame for a bad surfing performance on external conditions is all too common among beginner surfers. However, there is a way for surfers to keep such conditions under constant check: surf forecasts.
Reading a surf forecast report is just as important as understanding your equipment if you want to have a good surf session.
The report will tell you key conditions like swell direction, swell period, wind direction, wind speed, wave height, and wave period for your local surf spots so you can decide what to do.
How can you interpret surf reports to determine the best time to go surfing? What are some trustworthy websites that offer surf forecasts? What do various forecasting terms used in relation to surfing mean?
We are going to answer all of those questions, and hopefully we will be able to clear up any confusion.
What Is a Surf Report?
Before anything else, it’s important to understand that a surf report is essentially a weather forecast specifically for waves. Just like a regular weather forecast, it uses various data visualizations like graphs, maps, and tables to tell you what the surf conditions will be like in your preferred surfing area.
This way, you can determine whether the upcoming waves will be ideal for your skill level and, as a result, plan to go out surfing on days when the waves are predicted to be more favorable.
In the past, surf reports were only accessible to those who had access to premium phone lines. Nowadays, there are so many surf report websites that anyone can easily find the data they need.
The vast majority of these websites get their data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a US government organization. This means they’re just as reliable as any other source.
However, their user-friendliness in terms of their charts, graphs, and maps, and the areas they cover are another thing altogether.
How to Read a Surf Report
If you want to be able to read a surf report like an expert, you need to know four key elements: wave height/swell period, swell direction, wind direction/speed, and tides.
I will discuss every element of a surf report so you understand what purpose they hold, regardless of which surf report website you choose. All four elements are important for the waves to be great.
The 5 Key Elements of a Surf Report
Wave Height and Swell Period
When looking at a surf report, the two things that will tell you how big the waves are going to be are wave height and swell period. Wave height by itself doesn’t give you the whole picture, because the true size and power of a wave also depend on the swell period.
Wave height is the average height of all the waves during a 20-minute period.
The amount of time it takes a wave to pass a certain point is called the swell period. Short-period swells (1-9 seconds) will result in poor quality waves, while long-period swells (10-20 seconds) offer the best, most powerful waves.
Examples of wave height and swell periods:
- 3 feet @ 5 seconds would be considered a short period swell (stay at home)
- 3 feet @ 15 seconds would be considered a long period swell (go surfing!)
Swell Direction
To find out which direction a swell is coming from, look at the _____. Swell direction is usually expressed in _____ (N, E, S, W). If a beach is facing directly west, it will get bigger and better waves if the swell comes from the _____.
The direction of a swell can determine whether a particular beach will see good waves during a particular swell. For example, southwest swells will often lead to good waves at Orange County beaches, which typically face southwest.
Wind Direction and Speed
When reading a surf report, it is important to pay attention to the wind conditions. Onshore winds blowing in from the land can ruin good surf conditions, while offshore winds blowing out to sea often create good conditions.
Onshore winds blow from the ocean towards the shore. These winds can create choppy conditions which can make it more difficult to enjoy activities such as swimming or surfing.
Offshore winds blow from land to water, making surfing conditions ideal. These winds also help create clean waves that are perfectly shaped.
The best wind direction for surfing in New Hampshire comes from the west because the winds will be blowing offshore. If the wind is blowing from any other direction, the waves will be choppy because the winds will be blowing onshore.
When you are looking at the wind speed on a surf forecast, keep in mind that winds are usually lighter in the morning and stronger in the afternoon. This means that the best time to surf is usually in the morning.
If you’re lucky, the afternoon winds can die down for a glassy sunset session. Light winds are usually in the 0-7 mph range; heavy winds are usually in the 8-20 mph range.
Tide Chart
The tide level has a big impact on how well waves will break at a specific surf spot. The best waves usually happen during a high tide, low tide, or mid-tide. You can ask experienced surfers or your local surf shop to find out which tide is best for each spot.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to find this information on most surf report websites. Knowing the best tide to surf will help you catch the best waves when a swell comes in.
The reason why ocean tides are so predictable is because they are controlled by the moon. There are two high tides and two low tides every day.
You can find out the exact times and levels of both high and low tides each day from a surf report. The tides will increase by approximately 50 minutes each day. For example, if the low tide was at 6:30 a.m. today, then it will be around 7:20 a.m. tomorrow.
The level of the tides will change each day depending on the phase of the moon. Tides will be at their highest and lowest during a full moon, and there will be little change in the tide range during a new moon.
The Best Surf Forecasting Websites
After learning about important terms related to surfing, you can check surf reports to decide whether to go surfing today. However, online advertising may trick you into buying something you don’t need, such as an aquarium.
If you want to know the surf report before you go to the beach, keep reading as we will review the five best surf report websites.
Magicseaweed
Don’t let all the talk about serious and scientific matters such as data, forecasts, and reports fool you or put you off. Magicseaweed is run by a group of excited surfers, and when you head to the website, you’ll find the usual data charts, but also wave-related news stories.
Moreover, there are live webcam shore streams from countries such as Brazil, South Africa, and Australia, where surfing is quite popular.
We love the surf forecasting website because it offers data on almost all the best surf spots in the world in good detail, as well as live data from wave buoys and weather stations across the UK.
The website also provides extra-curricular content like recommendations for surfing hardware, why we should wear plastic-free shoes, documentary-like interviews, photo galleries, tips to improve your surfing, and lots of video features.
Magicseaweed is an essential website for surfers as it provides surf reports as well as other useful information.
Surfline
If you’re a surfer who likes to stay up-to-date on surfing conditions, Surfline is a great option. They update their data hourly, and have a comprehensive presentation of that data. The website is also easy to use and up-to-date looking.
Surfline publishes news and articles about popular surf areas and informs you about the swell and wind coming your way. In addition, they offer lots of content about training, equipment, and travel for people who want to surf.
Surfline was started by surfers nearly 35 years ago, and it has gathered fans and supporters from every corner of the globe. These supporters aren’t all surfers; they also include anglers, fishermen, sailors, and people who love being on the water. Everyone on the Surfline team is passionate about the ocean.
This means that regardless of what you plan to do, you can find helpful information for it.
WindGuru
If you don’t want extra content on your website, then you should go to WindGuru for your surf data.
Not only does WindGuru give you numbers and graphs about swell direction and period, wave height, and wind, but it also provides you with information about the expected wind gusts, current sea temperature, and cloud cover for your chosen location.
Although the website’s runners provide detailed forecasts for the next seven days, they caution that accuracy diminishes after the first two or three days.
Relying on data from the first day may not be advisable, so it’s important to check for updates.
Wrapping Up
Surf reports can be difficult to understand at first, but if you know the four key elements, you can decode them. You will need some practice to understand every part of a surf report, but it will be worth it when you get good waves.
The best websites for beginners are Surfline (paid) and MagicSeaweed (free).
If you’re interested in reading about the history of surfing and getting some helpful tips, head over to the Isle Surf & SUP blog.
