Machir Bay (Islay) Surf Forecast and Surf Reports (Scot (2024)

FAQs

Can you surf on Islay? ›

The best time of year for surfing Machir Bay (Islay) with consistent clean waves (rideable swell with light / offshore winds) is during Spring and most often the month of April. Clean surfable waves are typically found 28% of the time in April while 57% of the time it tends to be blown out.

A surf report, however, is not a 100 percent accurate maritime weather forecast tool. Instead, surf reports represent interpretations of data collected over time from a given surf spot, and so each surf report site will have tuned the weather algorithms it uses to make sense of its prevailing conditions.

Surfing Ocean Beach:

The best conditions reported for surf at Ocean Beach occur when a West swell combines with an offshore wind direction from the East.

Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii

According to a CNN report, Pipeline in Oahu is the world's number 1 surf spot.

SURFLINE.COM. Global Surf Reports, Surf Forecasts, Live Surf Cams and Coastal Weather.

But generally for surfing, you want light offshore winds under 15mph for clean, groomed waves. Anything more than that (say, a gusty offshore wind over 25mph) will make it harder to paddle into waves and, on weaker swells, harder to generate speed on the waves.

How accurate are the 16 day forecasts: Generally speaking, the longer you go out in the forecast time, the less accurate the forecast will be. The accuracy of the longer range forecasts can vary based on region and the type of storm system generating the swell. One example is comparing the US East and West coasts.

Usually, you will notice that it is better to surf on a mid to medium tide that is rising towards the high tide and/or for a few hours after the high tide.

Rolling waves (1) are the most familiar waves, and the type most surfers prefer. These waves break in a stable pattern. Rolling waves are usually a feature of a flat, sandy shoreline. The rolling waves at Hossegor, France, on the Bay of Biscay, can reach more than 6 meters (20 feet).

1. Nazaré, Portugal. Nazaré, Portugal is famous for its record-breaking waves, particularly in the big wave surfing community. The waves at Nazaré are some of the biggest and most powerful in the world, attracting surfers from all over to tackle these massive swells.

What tide level is best for surfing? ›

Regardless of which end of the tide cycle you're surfing, the currents during incoming tides are generally better than outgoing tides for beginners. Surfing an hour before maximum high tide is usually ideal if you want waves with great height and speed.

Surfline has been the surf world's go-to for wave forecasting and surf reports since 1985, helping millions of surfers score better waves, more often. Use the Surfline app to know before you go anytime, anywhere. Keep track of current surf conditions.

Surfline/WaveTrak also owns and manages three similar web services - Magicseaweed, FishTrack, and Buoyweather. The online surf forecasting service delivers daily surf reports from thousands of surf spots across the world, as well as cam rewind features that allow users to relive their best rides.

Global surf forecasting firm Magic Seaweed (MSW) has announced it is losing its name as it merges with California-based Surfline.

3 = POOR: Poor surf with some (30%) FAIR waves to ride. 4 = POOR to FAIR: Generally poor surf many (50%) FAIR waves to ride. 5 = FAIR: Very average surf with most (70%) waves rideable. 6 = FAIR to GOOD: Fair surf with some (30%) GOOD waves.