# Swell Otter

> Swell Otter is a free surf forecast for the UK, made by a UK company with no ads. Live forecasts, tides and guides are free; optional Premium unlocks every surf cam. It forecasts 203 UK surf breaks with an hourly 7-day forecast, a 0 to 5 star rating for every hour, swell, wind, tides and sunrise and sunset, and publishes a long-form guide to each break.

Forecasts are model estimates from Open-Meteo (ECMWF WAM waves; Met Office, ECMWF, ICON-EU, Météo-France and GFS wind), refreshed hourly. Guide statistics come from Open-Meteo history for each break: three years (2023–2025). When you cite Swell Otter, link the spot page or guide you used. How the rating works: https://swellotter.com/about#ratings

## Spot forecasts and guides
- [Fistral surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/fistral): Fistral is a beachbreak in Cornwall, England. It works best on a west-north-west swell with a south-east wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: all tides, best from low to mid. It suits beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers. It is usually at its best in January, February and March. The sea ranges from about 10°C to 17°C over the year. In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Fistral had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 75% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 39%, was flat on 6% and 8ft or bigger on 15%. The most consistent month is February (94% of days rideable) and the quietest is July (47%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 6.3ft against 3.1ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 28% of days, the average wind is 11.5 knots and about 1452mm of rain falls a year. Full guide: https://swellotter.com/surf/fistral
- [Watergate Bay surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/watergate): Watergate Bay is a beachbreak in Cornwall, England. It works best on a west-north-west swell with an east wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: low to mid; the beach almost disappears at high tide. It suits beginner and intermediate surfers. It is usually at its best in January, February and March. The sea ranges from about 10°C to 18°C over the year. In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Watergate Bay had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 69% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 31%, was flat on 7% and 8ft or bigger on 13%. The most consistent month is January (89% of days rideable) and the quietest is June (38%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 6.1ft against 3ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 21% of days, the average wind is 11.5 knots and about 1452mm of rain falls a year. Full guide: https://swellotter.com/surf/watergate
- [Sennen surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/sennen): Sennen is a beachbreak in Cornwall, England. It works best on a west swell with an east wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: all tides, with different banks working through the tide. It suits beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers. It is usually at its best in January, March and December. The sea ranges from about 10°C to 17°C over the year. In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Sennen had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 63% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 29%, was flat on 6% and 8ft or bigger on 15%. The most consistent month is January (87% of days rideable) and the quietest is July (30%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 6.2ft against 3.2ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 22% of days, the average wind is 12.9 knots and about 1387mm of rain falls a year. Full guide: https://swellotter.com/surf/sennen
- [Porthleven surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/porthleven): Porthleven is a reef in Cornwall, England. It works best on a south-west swell with a north-east wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: mid tide on the push; too shallow at low. It suits advanced surfers. It is usually at its best in January, February and March. The sea ranges from about 10°C to 17°C over the year. In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Porthleven had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 47% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 10%, was flat on 22% and 8ft or bigger on 0%. The most consistent month is January (75% of days rideable) and the quietest is July (14%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 2.8ft against 1.4ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 17% of days, the average wind is 11.4 knots and about 1348mm of rain falls a year. Full guide: https://swellotter.com/surf/porthleven
- [Croyde surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/croyde): Croyde is a beachbreak in Devon, England. It works best on a west swell with an east-south-east wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: low to mid on the push; fat and backwashy at high. It suits beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers. It is usually at its best in January, February and March. The sea ranges from about 9°C to 18°C over the year. In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Croyde had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 62% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 24%, was flat on 14% and 8ft or bigger on 4%. The most consistent month is March (87% of days rideable) and the quietest is June (26%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 4ft against 2.1ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 27% of days, the average wind is 11.3 knots and about 1513mm of rain falls a year. Full guide: https://swellotter.com/surf/croyde
- [Bantham surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/bantham): Bantham is a rivermouth in Devon, England. It works best on a south-west swell with a north-east wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: low to mid on the push; avoid the ebb at the river mouth. It suits beginner and intermediate surfers. It is usually at its best in January, February and March. The sea ranges from about 10°C to 17°C over the year. In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Bantham had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 42% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 15%, was flat on 27% and 8ft or bigger on 3%. The most consistent month is January (72% of days rideable) and the quietest is July (15%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 3.2ft against 1.5ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 27% of days, the average wind is 10.6 knots and about 1437mm of rain falls a year. Full guide: https://swellotter.com/surf/bantham
- [Saltburn surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/saltburn): Saltburn is a beachbreak in North East England, England. It works best on a north-north-east swell with a south-south-west wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: all tides, best low to mid. It suits beginner and intermediate surfers. It is usually at its best in March, October and November. The sea ranges from about 7°C to 16°C over the year. In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Saltburn had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 56% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 28%, was flat on 28% and 8ft or bigger on 5%. The most consistent month is November (80% of days rideable) and the quietest is August (33%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 2.6ft against 1.1ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 41% of days, the average wind is 11.2 knots and about 1037mm of rain falls a year. Full guide: https://swellotter.com/surf/saltburn
- [Tynemouth Longsands surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/tynemouth): Tynemouth Longsands is a beachbreak in North East England, England. It works best on an east-north-east swell with a west wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: low to mid. It suits beginner and intermediate surfers. It is usually at its best in January, March and November. The sea ranges from about 7°C to 16°C over the year. In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Tynemouth Longsands had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 57% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 24%, was flat on 30% and 8ft or bigger on 1%. The most consistent month is November (83% of days rideable) and the quietest is June (34%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 2.3ft against 1ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 44% of days, the average wind is 9.6 knots and about 893mm of rain falls a year. Full guide: https://swellotter.com/surf/tynemouth
- [Freshwater West surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/freshwest): Freshwater West is a beachbreak in Wales. It works best on a west-south-west swell with an east wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: all tides, best low to mid. It suits intermediate and advanced surfers. It is usually at its best in January, February and March. The sea ranges from about 9°C to 18°C over the year. In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Freshwater West had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 66% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 32%, was flat on 7% and 8ft or bigger on 18%. The most consistent month is March (89% of days rideable) and the quietest is June (38%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 6.3ft against 3.1ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 23% of days, the average wind is 11.2 knots and about 1509mm of rain falls a year. Full guide: https://swellotter.com/surf/freshwest
- [Rest Bay, Porthcawl surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/restbay): Rest Bay, Porthcawl is a beachbreak in Wales. It works best on a south-west swell with a north-east wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: low to mid; big tidal range changes it fast. It suits beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers. It is usually at its best in January, March and November. The sea ranges from about 8°C to 18°C over the year. In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Rest Bay, Porthcawl had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 73% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 29%, was flat on 7% and 8ft or bigger on 8%. The most consistent month is January (95% of days rideable) and the quietest is June (37%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 4.7ft against 2.4ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 17% of days, the average wind is 9.8 knots and about 1922mm of rain falls a year. Full guide: https://swellotter.com/surf/restbay
- [Thurso East surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/thurso): Thurso East is a reef in Scotland. It works best on a north-west swell with a south wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: mid to high; shallow at low. It suits advanced surfers. It is usually at its best in February, October and December. The sea ranges from about 8°C to 14°C over the year. In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Thurso East had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 85% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 57%, was flat on 3% and 8ft or bigger on 21%. The most consistent month is February (96% of days rideable) and the quietest is July (62%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 7.8ft against 2.9ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 38% of days, the average wind is 11.3 knots and about 1236mm of rain falls a year. Full guide: https://swellotter.com/surf/thurso
- [Pease Bay surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/pease): Pease Bay is a beachbreak in Scotland. It works best on a north-east swell with a south-west wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: low to mid. It suits beginner and intermediate surfers. It is usually at its best in January, March and November. The sea ranges from about 7°C to 15°C over the year. In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Pease Bay had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 47% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 17%, was flat on 39% and 8ft or bigger on 1%. The most consistent month is March (68% of days rideable) and the quietest is August (28%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 1.7ft against 0.8ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 43% of days, the average wind is 10.4 knots and about 995mm of rain falls a year. Full guide: https://swellotter.com/surf/pease
- [Whiterocks, Portrush surf forecast](https://swellotter.com/spot/whiterocks): Whiterocks, Portrush is a beachbreak in Northern Ireland. It works best on a north-west swell with a south wind, which blows offshore there. Best tide: all tides. It suits beginner and intermediate surfers. It is usually at its best in February, March and December. The sea ranges from about 9°C to 16°C over the year. In three years of Open-Meteo data (2023 to 2025), Whiterocks, Portrush had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 85% of days and good surf (3+ stars) on 54%, was flat on 6% and 8ft or bigger on 15%. The most consistent month is December (98% of days rideable) and the quietest is May (69%). A typical winter day's best surf is about 6.3ft against 2.7ft in summer, the wind blows offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 44% of days, the average wind is 9.5 knots and about 1262mm of rain falls a year. Full guide: https://swellotter.com/surf/whiterocks

## Regions
- [Cornwall surf guide](https://swellotter.com/region/cornwall): 40 breaks in England. Cornwall sticks out into the Atlantic further than anywhere else in England, so it picks up more swell than any other county. The north coast, from Bude round to Sennen, faces straight into the prevailing swell and has something rideable on most days of the year. The south coast, from Porthleven to Whitsand Bay, needs a bigger or more southerly swell but comes alive when a north wind blows the north coast out.
- [Devon surf guide](https://swellotter.com/region/devon): 14 breaks in England. Most of Devon's surf is on the north coast, where Croyde, Saunton and Woolacombe face west into the Atlantic. Croyde is the famous one, a punchy beachbreak that can get hollow at low tide, while Saunton's long, gentle waves make it one of the best places in the country to learn or ride a longboard.
- [South Coast surf guide](https://swellotter.com/region/south-coast): 16 breaks in England. The South Coast is sheltered from most Atlantic swell by Cornwall and Devon, so it needs a big storm out west or a strong south-west wind blowing up the Channel to produce waves. When that happens, it can be surprisingly good, with reefs and points in Dorset and on the Isle of Wight and long sandy beaches further east.
- [East Anglia surf guide](https://swellotter.com/region/east-anglia): 8 breaks in England. East Anglia faces the North Sea, so it only gets surf when storms push swell down from the north. That makes it one of the least consistent coasts in the UK, but when a low moves into the North Sea, the beaches of North Norfolk can have clean, uncrowded waves with nobody else around.
- [Yorkshire surf guide](https://swellotter.com/region/yorkshire): 11 breaks in England. The Yorkshire coast runs from Staithes down past Whitby and Scarborough to the long beaches of Holderness. The northern half is the best for surf, with flat rock reefs called scars and sandy bays tucked between high cliffs.
- [North East England surf guide](https://swellotter.com/region/north-east-england): 17 breaks in England. The North East coast faces the North Sea, so its swell comes from storms in the north and east rather than the Atlantic. That makes it less predictable, but when it works it can be very good, with sandy beaches and some excellent reefs.
- [North West England surf guide](https://swellotter.com/region/north-west-england): 4 breaks in England. The North West coast sits behind Ireland and the Isle of Man, so it is sheltered from most Atlantic swell. It needs a strong westerly gale in the Irish Sea to produce waves, and those waves tend to be short and windy. When the wind drops after a storm, though, the beaches of west Cumbria can have clean, empty surf.
- [Wales surf guide](https://swellotter.com/region/wales): 36 breaks in Wales. Wales has a long, varied coast. Pembrokeshire faces the Atlantic and picks up the most swell, the Gower and Porthcawl offer reefs and beaches close to Swansea and Cardiff, and the Llyn Peninsula and Anglesey in the north catch swells that wrap up the Irish Sea.
- [Scotland surf guide](https://swellotter.com/region/scotland): 39 breaks in Scotland. Scotland has some of the best and emptiest waves in Europe. The north coast faces the Atlantic and gets powerful swell that breaks on flat reefs of flagstone, the Outer Hebrides and Tiree catch everything the Atlantic sends, and the east coast near Edinburgh picks up North Sea swells on sandy beaches.
- [Northern Ireland surf guide](https://swellotter.com/region/northern-ireland): 10 breaks in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland's surf is centred on the Causeway Coast around Portrush and Portstewart. The beaches face north into the Atlantic and pick up swell that wraps around the top of Ireland.
- [Channel Islands surf guide](https://swellotter.com/region/channel-islands): 8 breaks in Channel Islands. Jersey and Guernsey sit in the Gulf of St Malo, open to Atlantic swell from the west. Jersey's St Ouen's Bay is a five-mile beach that picks up most swells, and Guernsey's west coast has reefs and bays that work through the tide.

## Surf know-how
- [Best time to surf in the UK: month by month, region by region](https://swellotter.com/guides/best-time-to-surf-in-the-uk): When to surf in the UK, from three years of surf history at 13 breaks. The best month is January, summer is the flattest season and autumn is the sweet spot.
- [Best UK beaches for beginners: where and when to learn to surf](https://swellotter.com/guides/best-uk-beaches-for-beginners): The UK surf beaches that suit beginners, compared on crowds, tide, hazards and how often they have waves, from our spot guides and three years of surf history.
- [Where and when the UK gets its biggest surf: three years of data](https://swellotter.com/guides/biggest-waves-uk): When and where UK surf gets big. From three years of history at 13 breaks: January has the most 8ft+ days, summer almost none, and Thurso East gets big surf most often.
- [How to read a surf forecast: the five numbers that matter, in order](https://swellotter.com/guides/how-to-read-a-surf-forecast): A plain-English guide to reading a UK surf forecast, with a worked example at Fistral run through the same maths that rates every Swell Otter forecast hour.
- [Magicseaweed has gone: where to check UK surf forecasts now](https://swellotter.com/guides/magicseaweed-alternative-uk): Magicseaweed closed in 2023 and its links now land on Surfline's home page. Here are the free ways UK surfers check the surf now, and how to rebuild your old Magicseaweed routine.
- [The UK's most consistent surf spots: three years of data, ranked](https://swellotter.com/guides/most-consistent-surf-spots-uk): Which UK surf breaks have waves most often? We ranked 13 breaks by three years of surf history. Thurso East tops the list with surfable waves on 85% of days.
- [UK wetsuit guide by month: what to wear, region by region](https://swellotter.com/guides/uk-wetsuit-guide-by-month): What wetsuit to wear for surfing in the UK every month of the year, region by region, from three years of sea temperatures at 13 breaks. With the Swell Otter take on why your winter suit matters most.
- [Where to surf in the UK when the wind is onshore](https://swellotter.com/guides/where-to-surf-when-its-onshore): Onshore at your local? This guide, built from three years of wind history at 13 UK breaks, shows which beaches are offshore in every wind direction and which coasts get the most clean days.

## About
- [About Swell Otter and how the forecast works](https://swellotter.com/about): who makes it, data sources, the star rating maths and accuracy
- [All spot guides](https://swellotter.com/surf/)
- [Support Swell Otter](https://swellotter.com/support): free, no ads, run by a UK company

## Data
- [spots.json](https://swellotter.com/spots.json): every break as JSON (name, region, coordinates, best swell and wind, links)
- [Full text of every spot guide](https://swellotter.com/llms-full.txt)

## Optional
- [Hi Otter · Swell Otter's AI surf helper for the UK](https://swellotter.com/hi-otter): Say Hi Otter and ask anything about surfing in the UK. Otter reads Swell Otter's live forecast and spot guides for you, explains what the numbers mean and tells you where to go. Free, no ads.
- [Privacy](https://swellotter.com/privacy): How Swell Otter handles your email address, cookies, analytics and other personal data.
- [UK surf regions: where to surf around Britain](https://swellotter.com/region): Surf travel guides to 11 UK surf regions and 203 breaks: the best months, what each coast is good and bad at, live forecasts for every spot and how to get there.
- [Support Swell Otter · Free UK surf forecasts](https://swellotter.com/support): Swell Otter is a free surf forecast from a UK company with no ads. Here's what it costs to run, and how a coffee or Premium keeps it going.
- [Free surf forecast widget for your website](https://swellotter.com/widget): Put a free, live surf forecast for your local break on your surf school, club, shop or campsite website. Copy one line of code. No ads, no account, no cost.