{"id":320594,"date":"2024-03-06T10:57:07","date_gmt":"2024-03-06T10:57:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/?p=243330"},"modified":"2026-01-28T21:32:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T20:32:15","slug":"how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/","title":{"rendered":"Reading and understanding the surf forecast &#8211; our guide to surf-forecast.com"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surf-forecast-understand_and_read.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;surf forecast &#8211; how to read and understand it&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surf-forecast understand&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|10px|10px|10px|10px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>You are taking a surf holiday and want to know how the wave and surf forecast looks like for the next few days? You want to know, how high the waves will be and wether the wind is going to be onshore or offshore? You decide to open a surf forecast website or app but don&#8217;t understand a thing? Then let us help you: here comes the instruction on how to read the surf forecast!<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_87_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#How_to_read_a_surf_forecast_%E2%80%93_Table_of_Contents\" >How to read a surf forecast &#8211; Table of Contents<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#Interpretation_of_the_surf_forecast_%E2%80%93_an_art_in_itself\" >Interpretation of the surf forecast &#8211; an art in itself<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#Which_surf_forecast_are_there\" >Which surf forecast are there?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#What_factors_are_important_for_a_surf_forecast\" >What factors are important for a surf forecast?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#Basic_knowledge_of_the_surf_spot_is_essential\" >Basic knowledge of the surf spot is essential<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#Read_the_Surf_Forecast_on_Surf-Forecastcom\" >Read the Surf Forecast on Surf-Forecast.com<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#Swell_direction_swell_size_and_period\" >Swell direction, swell size and period<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#Swell_direction\" >Swell direction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#Swell_size_and_wave_size\" >Swell size and wave size<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#Swell_period\" >Swell period<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#Wave_energy_in_the_surf_forecast\" >Wave energy in the surf forecast\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#Wind_strength_and_wind_direction_in_a_surf_forecast\" >Wind strength and wind direction in a surf forecast\u00a0<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#Rating_of_the_surf_forecasts\" >Rating of the surf forecasts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/how-to-read-and-understand-a-surf-forecast\/#Tides\" >Tides<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_read_a_surf_forecast_%E2%80%93_Table_of_Contents\"><\/span><strong>How to read a surf forecast &#8211; Table of Contents<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; link_font=&#8221;||||on||||&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. <a href=\"#interpretation\">Surf forecast interpretation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>2. <a href=\"#different\">Different surf forecasts<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>3. <a href=\"#importantfactors\">Important factors for a surf forecast<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; link_font=&#8221;||||on||||&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. <a href=\"#surf-forecast-website\">How to read Surf-forecast.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>5. <a href=\"#swell\">All about the swell<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>6. <a href=\"#windandtides\">Wind and Tides<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surf-forecast-read-it-right.webp&#8221; alt=&#8221;surf forecast richtig lesen&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surf forecast richtig lesen&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|10px|10px|10px|10px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"interpretation\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Interpretation_of_the_surf_forecast_%E2%80%93_an_art_in_itself\"><\/span><strong>Interpretation of the surf forecast &#8211; an art in itself<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/surfing-on-standing-waves-surf-training-for-landlocked-surfers\/\">surf forecast makes life much easier for many surfers<\/a> around the world. Thanks to these predictive forecasts, you can at least roughly estimate whether it&#8217;s worth getting up early to check the waves or whether it&#8217;s better to sleep in. Although wave forecasts are never 100 % accurate, they do provide clear indications as to whether the ocean will produce decent waves in the coming week. However, the interpretation can sometimes be a little more complicated, as the forecast contains numerous factors that significantly influence the surfing conditions.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surf-forecast-online-website.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;surf forecast online&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surf forecast online&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|10px|10px|10px|10px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"different\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_surf_forecast_are_there\"><\/span><strong>Which surf forecast are there?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There are many websites and apps for the forecast of waves. These include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.surf-forecast.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">surf-forecast<\/a>, surfline, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.windguru.cz\/42\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">windguru<\/a> and many more. These pages offer a wealth of information, some of which is hidden and requires a certain amount of interpretation. That is why it is not always easy, to understand a surf forecast correctly. Here we summarise what information surfers can draw from the forecast and where they can find it.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surf-forecast-el-cotillo_beach.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;surf forecast el cotillo&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surf forecast el cotillo&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|10px|10px|10px|10px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"importantfactors\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_factors_are_important_for_a_surf_forecast\"><\/span><strong>What factors are important for a surf forecast?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Period of the swells<\/li>\n<li>Swell direction<\/li>\n<li>Wave size or height<\/li>\n<li>Wind strenght \/ speed<\/li>\n<li>Wind direction<\/li>\n<li>Secondray and tertiary swell<\/li>\n<li>Tides<\/li>\n<li>Rating in Stars<\/li>\n<li>Wave energy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surfcamp-fuerteventura-october-surfspot.webp&#8221; alt=&#8221;surfcamp fuerteventura oktober surfspot&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surfcamp fuerteventura oktober surfspot&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|10px|10px|10px|10px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basic_knowledge_of_the_surf_spot_is_essential\"><\/span><strong>Basic knowledge of the surf spot is essential<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To understand and interpret a surf forecast correctly it is extremly important to know the surf spot and the local conditions. These information include the best tide for the spot as well as the geographical orientation. Using these parameters, you can deduce from which direction the swell should come so that the waves hit the coast in the best possible way. At the same time, this knowledge also allows you to determine the wind direction required to create offshore conditions.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surf-forecast-website-screenshot.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;surf forecast website&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surf-forecast-website&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"surf-forecast-website\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Read_the_Surf_Forecast_on_Surf-Forecastcom\"><\/span><strong>Read the Surf Forecast on Surf-Forecast.com<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you need the surf forecast for Europe, Surf-Forecast is a great website. You can easily understand the forecast by looking at the different parameters step by step.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s go: Go to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.surf-forecast.com\/breaks\/Cotillo\/forecasts\/latest\/six_day\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">surf-forecast.com<\/a> and search for the beach you&#8217;re interested in. For example, let&#8217;s take a look at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/cotillo-fuerteventura\/\">El Cotillo beach<\/a>.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/website-surf-forecast-screenshot.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;website surf forecast&#8221; title_text=&#8221;website surf forecast&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|10px|10px|10px|10px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"swell\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Swell_direction_swell_size_and_period\"><\/span><strong>Swell direction, swell size and period<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Which factors are most important for a surf forecast? Swell direction and size as well as the period have a decisive influence on wave quality. This means that these three factors play a decisive role when reading and interpreting the wave forecast for a particular spot.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surf-forecast-swell-direction.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;surf forecast swellrichtung&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surf-forecast-swellrichtung&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Swell_direction\"><\/span><strong>Swell direction<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The swell direction indicates the direction from which the swell hits the surf spot. It is important that it matches the direction of the spot so that waves arrive.<\/p>\n<p>Otherwise the waves can be significantly smaller or even completely flat. Note: Move the cursor over the arrow to find out the exact swell angle.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surf-forecast-swell-size-and-wave-size.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;surf forecast swellgroesse&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surf-forecast-Swellgr\u00f6\u00dfe-und-Wellengr\u00f6\u00dfe&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Swell_size_and_wave_size\"><\/span><strong>Swell size and wave size<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The swell size indicates how strong the storm was on the open sea, which influences the formation of the swell. The stronger the storm, the bigger the swell and the waves that hit land. However, it is important to note that the swell size does not necessarily correspond to the actual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/243848-learn-how-to-read-waves\/\">wave size at the surf<\/a> spot. This also depends on other factors such as the direction of the swell, the sandbanks and the tide.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surf-forecast-swell-size-and-wave-size.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;surf forecast swellgroesse&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surf-forecast-Swellgr\u00f6\u00dfe-und-Wellengr\u00f6\u00dfe&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>wave size<\/strong> is given in metres or feet (1 ft \u2248 30 cm) and is calculated by the surf forecasts using various parameters such as the period, swell size and direction. This is merely an estimate and not an exact figure. However, especially with a longer period, it can be assumed that the waves will be larger than the wave size specified in the forecast.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surf-forecast-period.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;surf-forecast-periode&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surf-forecast-periode&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Swell_period\"><\/span><strong>Swell period<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The swell period is given in seconds and indicates the time it takes for successive waves to pass the same point. The longer the period, the more organised the waves are and the larger they become.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>It is also often possible for different swells to hit the coast at the same time. The primary swell is then listed as shown in the screenshots below, followed by other (secondary) swells. If a secondary or tertiary swell is travelling, this means that a second or third low pressure area has formed somewhere at sea, which is also sending waves to the spot.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surf-forecast-wave-energy.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;surf forecast wellenenergie&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surf forecast wellenenergie&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wave_energy_in_the_surf_forecast\"><\/span><strong>Wave energy in the surf forecast\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A stylised wave is used to indicate the energy content of the wave. Although the energy in kJ doesn&#8217;t mean much to most surfers, it is a good way of roughly estimating whether the swell will work on a particular beach.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Waves from 100 kJ are often just surfable. A range of 200 to 2000 kJ roughly covers the good wave sizes. From 1000 kJ to 5000 kJ it becomes challenging, and only a few spots still work at all.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"windandtides\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wind_strength_and_wind_direction_in_a_surf_forecast\"><\/span><strong>Wind strength and wind direction in a surf forecast\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surf-forecast-wind-direction.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;surf forecast wind&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surf forecast wind&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|10px|10px|10px|10px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>The wind also has a significant influence on the quality of the waves. No wind or offshore winds (offshore) are the ideal conditions for any surfer. The wind strength is given in km\/h, while the arrows indicate the wind direction. The colour indicates whether the wind is coming from a favourable (offshore) or unfavourable (onshore) direction. To determine which wind direction is ideal for a particular spot, it is important to know how the spot is orientated.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surf-forecast-rating.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;surf forecast bewertung&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surf-forecast-bewertung&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rating_of_the_surf_forecasts\"><\/span><strong>Rating of the surf forecasts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Many wave forecasts also offer a rating of the conditions. At <a href=\"https:\/\/www.surf-forecast.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">surf-forecast.com<\/a>, this is represented by the star rating, with 10 yellow stars being the best rating and not a single star being the worst. However, these ratings are calculated automatically and are therefore not always meaningful.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/surf-forecast-tides.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;surf forecast gezeiten&#8221; title_text=&#8221;surf forecast gezeiten&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tides\"><\/span><strong>Tides<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It is also important to know how high the water is, whether it is rising or falling and what the tide is like in order to predict the wave quality. This is what surf forecast shows you.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Once you have received all the basic information and know what data a surf forecast provides and how to interpret it, it depends on how well you can memorise these points and how often you deal with the surf forecasts.<\/p>\n<p>In another <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/blog-2\/\">blog<\/a> post, we will introduce you to the portals Surfline.com and Windguru.<\/p>\n<p>We wish you always good waves!<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You are taking a surf holiday and want to know how the wave and surf forecast looks like for the next few days? You want to know, how high the waves will be and wether the wind is going to be onshore or offshore? You decide to open a surf forecast website or app but [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":268803,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[31981,2419,2428,31976],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-320594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-surf-courses-on-fuerteventura","category-surfunterricht-fuerteventura","category-travel-tipps-surfspots-weltweit","category-travel-tips-surf-spots"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320594","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=320594"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320594\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":338127,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320594\/revisions\/338127"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/268803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=320594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=320594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freshsurf.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=320594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}