Freshwater Bay
Freshwater Bay is the Isle of Wight's most iconic wave--a hollow right-hand reef/point that breaks over jagged rock.
Freshwater Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to SOU, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Europe is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Europe — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Get the full Freshwater Bay trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (225°)
- Direction range
- 190° - 270°
- Size range
- 0.9m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 13s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NNW (340°)
- Offshore range
- 310° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low
Water temp
12°C
Wetsuit
5/4mm + boots
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
4/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Freshwater Bay?
Freshwater Bay is a reef break in Isle of Wight, UK, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Freshwater Bay?
Freshwater Bay picks up swell from the S round to the W, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. It starts working at around 0.9m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 13s or longer, as anything under 9s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Freshwater Bay?
A NNW wind is dead offshore at Freshwater Bay, and anything from the NW round to the NE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Freshwater Bay?
Freshwater Bay is at its best around low tide.
When is the best time of year to surf Freshwater Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Freshwater Bay comes Oct to Feb. There's a second window in Mar and Sep too.
How cold is the water at Freshwater Bay?
The water at Freshwater Bay averages around 12°C, so you'll want a 5/4mm with boots. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Freshwater Bay good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Hollow right over jagged rock. Rippy conditions. Requires ferry access.
How do I get to Freshwater Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is SOU, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Freshwater Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Compton Bay (3.1 km) and Kimmeridge (45 km), handy when Freshwater Bay isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Mar, Sep
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Compton Bay
Isle of Wight's surf beach - Three sections - Ferry adventure
Kimmeridge
Dorset's fickle reef - MOD access restrictions - Powerful when on
Siouville
🌊 Norman surprise • Quality reef • D-Day region waves
Sandy Bay
Welsh wedge • Bristol Channel pulse • Tide-critical bodyboard wave
Bantham
Devon rivermouth - Deceptively powerful - South coast gem
Lynmouth
Devon's fickle left point - Cliff access only - Needs size to fire