No matter where a surfer is in the world, knowing whether the waves are good and at what time they get even better, is of the greatest importance.  It used to be up to some gnarly waterman to tell you that the big waves were coming.  However, times have changed and now you can check what the surf is doing in an instant with the joy that is surf forecasting websites.  Yet which one to pick...?

www.surfline.com


Surfline's website is one of the most comprehensive and progressive for surf forecasting on the internet.  It provides you with all the necessary data for checking your favourite surf spots around the world and some.

The site is run from Surfline's headquarters in Huntington Beach, California, and its weather and wave predictions are spearheaded by the renowned surfer and surf forecaster Sean Collins.  With over 90,000 people per day checking in with the website, Surfline takes its job and information very seriously.

You can check the surf through web cams, weather reports and wave models that can predict the waves for up to 5 days. 


www.magicseaweed.com


The beauty of Magicseaweed's website is that it provides its surf reports through a number of different mediums.  A combination of surf science, weather report predictions and web cams all help to give a picture of what to expect.  Yet one of the best tools is a simple one.  People are able to contribute their “eye-ball” report, passing on the info on what a break is doing right in front of them. 

So you can check out your break on the web cam and read the update on what the break is doing by an actual surfer.


www.swellnet.com.au


For those who are lucky enough to be heading south to Australia any time soon, Swellnet is the Aussie's choice.  Focusing on the main breaks in each of Australia's states, Swellnet gives the daily surf report through charts, pictures, personal run down and gives an easy to understand view of the weather.  Our favourite feature of the site is the suggestion for what board to use for the wave. 


www.a1surf.com

Here's one for those of us in Ireland and the UK.  Since its launch in 2001, A1Surf has been an excellent source of regional and local coastal knowledge.  It is run by surfers and welcomes contributions from its surfer following.  So the content is often a mixture of great personal photos combined with good solid technical data for wave predictions.

The site is very popular amongst the surfers from Devon and Cornwall in the UK, and it receives well over a 1,000 hits a day.


www.surf-forecast.com


Surf Forecast gives the location and wave forecasts for waves around the world.  However, you wont find secret spots on there as they respect a surfer's right to the uncrowded wave.  What you will find is a collection of swell, wind and wave maps that will help you to see what a particular spot is going to do.

Added interest comes from the interactive swell surf maps and the beautiful local spot photos.

So hope the above will help you on your quest for good waves. And is you have booked a surf holiday make sure you check out and print the forecast the day before you go...