Bournemouth
United Kingdom · Atlantic Europe
Right now
DrizzleWind and swell direction
Swell: 0.1m SSW
Wind: 7 km/h NE (cross-offshore)
Beach faces: S
Very light wind. Expect glassy, clean conditions.
Swell direction is a decent angle for this beach.
Today hour by hour
Updated 08:33Expected crowds
Prediction model v16amDawn patrol territory
7amMidweek quiet
Next 7 days
Forecast via Open-MeteoWhat to pack
- 4/3mm wetsuit recommended for 13°C water.
- Small waves expected. Longboard or fish to make the most of it.
- Rain jacket for between sessions.
Today's briefing
0.2m swell at 6s on a short period. Moderate winds. Water temperature 13°C.
AI-generated summary for Bournemouth. Always check local reports before heading out.
Forecast accuracy at Bournemouth
Not enough data yet. Log a session to help build the accuracy score.
Best time to go
No great windows in the next 2 days
Best available option is Today around 6am (score: 1). Conditions are below the Good threshold but may still be surfable.
Nearby spots right now
Crowd report
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Session journal
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Create free accountTide
Approximate modelSwell forecast
7-day forecastWater quality
5 nearby outfallsUpdated 08:33
Daily score breakdown
This week is looking about average for late April.
Comparing the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Bournemouth.
What's driving it
Recent form
Last 3 days of logged conditions.
About Bournemouth
Bournemouth is an urban beach break situated on the southern coast of Dorset, United Kingdom. The bathymetry is defined by a series of engineered groynes and a sandy seafloor that generally lacks a defined, stable gradient. The location is heavily reliant on short-period south-westerly wind swells generated within the English Channel, as it is largely sheltered from open Atlantic groundswells. Optimal conditions require a northerly or north-easterly offshore wind to groom the frequently chaotic wind-chop into rideable faces. When functional, Bournemouth offers shifting left and right-hand peaks that break with moderate velocity over the sandbars. Because the waves lack profound hydraulic power and typically break with a crumbling, spilling profile, the beach is well-suited for beginner and intermediate surfers. The presence of the pier and artificial reefs occasionally concentrates the sand into steeper, more organised sections, but the primary utility of the spot lies in its accessibility and forgiving nature for those learning wave-catching fundamentals.
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Create Profile →Frequently asked questions
How often is this page updated?
Current conditions refresh every 6 hours when the cron runs. Hourly data updates every 30 minutes. The 7-day forecast, luck factor, and packing notes are all pre-computed at the same time.
What is the luck factor?
We compare the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Bournemouth. The delta tells you whether conditions are shaping up better, worse, or about the same as a typical late April.
How is 'best session' picked?
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Where does the data come from?
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Does the score capture local knowledge?
Honestly, no. Every break has tide windows, swell directions and reef contours that a global model cannot see. Treat the score as a starting point, then check a local cam.
When is the best time to surf Bournemouth?
Check our timing score heatmap above for a week-by-week breakdown combining surf conditions with crowd pressure.