How to Read a Surf Forecast: A Beginner’s Guide

Understanding a surf forecast is essential for planning your sessions and ensuring you catch the best waves. If you’re new to reading surf reports, this guide will break down the key elements so you can hit the water with confidence.

1. Wave Height & Swell

The wave height indicates the average size of waves at a surf spot. Swell refers to the energy of waves traveling from distant storms. A 0.6 - 1.2 meter swell is ideal for most beginner and intermediate surfers.

2. Swell Direction

Swell direction tells you where the waves are coming from. Some spots work best with a west swell, while others need a south or north swell. Check your local break’s preferred swell direction for the best conditions.

3. Wave Period

Wave period is the time between each wave, measured in seconds. A longer wave period (10+ seconds) usually means stronger, more powerful waves, while a shorter period (less than 8 seconds) means weaker waves.

4. Wind Conditions

Wind plays a huge role in wave quality. Offshore wind (blowing from land to sea) creates clean, smooth waves, while onshore wind (blowing from sea to land) makes waves choppy and messy.

5. Tide & Its Impact

Different surf spots work best at different tide levels. Some spots need a high tide to break properly, while others work better at low tide. Check tide charts for your location.

The lower curve means low tide. The upper point of the curve means high tide.

Check our instagram to see which spot works better at which tide!

6. Where to Check Surf Forecasts

Several websites and apps provide reliable surf forecasts, such as Magicseaweed and Surfline. These platforms offer detailed data, including live webcams, historical trends, and local surf reports.

Check out Surfline’s detailed forecasts.

Finals: Read a Surf Forecast

Reading a surf forecast may seem overwhelming at first, but with practice, you’ll quickly learn how to predict good surf days. Understanding swell, wind, tide, and wave height will help you make better decisions and improve your surfing experience.

Now that you know how to read a surf forecast, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice and catch some waves!