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Isle Of Wight Surf Forecast 2026
The Isle of Wight is popular with surfers, kitesurfers and bodyboarders most of whom can be found around the South West coast. Compton Bay and Freshwater Bay are on the South West and West coast of the Isle of Wight respectively. I've gone paddleboarding around Freshwater Bay and you also get some surfers there.
The South East coast at Lake, Sandown and Shanklin also gets surf from time to time.
If you're new to watersports, we've got a guide to watersports on the Isle of Wight. It was described by the New Yorker as 'a rollicking good read' (Ed: that's not actually true, is it...).
You may also want to see our tide times and weather forecasts.
If the widgets aren't working or if you're using a mobile, try this link to Surf-Forecast.com instead.
The South East coast at Lake, Sandown and Shanklin also gets surf from time to time.
If you're new to watersports, we've got a guide to watersports on the Isle of Wight. It was described by the New Yorker as 'a rollicking good read' (Ed: that's not actually true, is it...).
You may also want to see our tide times and weather forecasts.
If the widgets aren't working or if you're using a mobile, try this link to Surf-Forecast.com instead.
Compton Bay Surf Forecast
Compton Bay is probably the Isle of Wight's most popular surfing location. I often see cool-looking people there in an evening.
Most surfers head for the far end of the beach, rather than the Hanover Point end, which is rockier and busier.
For the full experience, park at the Compton Farm car park and climb down the steep steps which lead to the beach. It's a bit precarious so not really one to attempt with children.
One of the Isle of Wight's surf schools - iSurf - is based at Sandown but they have a van and often hold lessons at Compton Bay if the surf is better. The other surf school is called Eddie's Surf Academy, which offers private lessons for groups.
Most surfers head for the far end of the beach, rather than the Hanover Point end, which is rockier and busier.
For the full experience, park at the Compton Farm car park and climb down the steep steps which lead to the beach. It's a bit precarious so not really one to attempt with children.
One of the Isle of Wight's surf schools - iSurf - is based at Sandown but they have a van and often hold lessons at Compton Bay if the surf is better. The other surf school is called Eddie's Surf Academy, which offers private lessons for groups.
View detailed surf forecast for Compton Bay. Visit surf-forecast.com for more details, long range forecasts, surf reports, swell and weather maps.
The far end of this beach (Compton Bay) is probably the Isle of Wight's most popular surf spot
Freshwater Bay Surf Forecast
Freshwater Bay is my favourite spot on the Isle of Wight for watching the waves on a stormy day.
I've seen surfers out there, particularly in winter but I certainly wouldn't attempt to learn to surf at Freshwater Bay. The water gets deep quickly at high tide and there are some pretty jagged things to crash into.
I've seen surfers out there, particularly in winter but I certainly wouldn't attempt to learn to surf at Freshwater Bay. The water gets deep quickly at high tide and there are some pretty jagged things to crash into.
View detailed surf forecast for Freshwater Bay. Visit surf-forecast.com for more details, long range forecasts, surf reports, swell and weather maps.
Freshwater Bay has choppy water...and a lot of rocks
Shanklin Surf Forecast
Shanklin is a busy beach full of dads trying to out-do other dads with the size of their sandcastles ("stop touching the castle Jimmy, you're ruining the structural integrity!").
It does get some decent waves but it's often flat as a pancake in summer. My guess (and it's only a guess) is that Shanklin is a reasonable place for beginners and intermediate surfers.
As mentioned earlier, there is a surf school based at nearby Sandown called iSurf (read the blog about my visit).
It does get some decent waves but it's often flat as a pancake in summer. My guess (and it's only a guess) is that Shanklin is a reasonable place for beginners and intermediate surfers.
As mentioned earlier, there is a surf school based at nearby Sandown called iSurf (read the blog about my visit).
The sun always shines in Shanklin, except when it doesn't
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There's a surf school called iSurf based at Sandown beach (which isn't far from Shanklin)
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Ventnor Surf Forecast
Ventnor is another popular tourist resort, so don't expect to have the beach to yourself. I can't say I regularly see surfers in Ventnor but I mostly visit in summer as it's a bit bleak in winter. It is probably a more popular surfing spot in winter.
I've not seen many surfers at Ventnor, but it's worth checking the surf forecast
Niton Surf Forecast
Niton in the South Wight is back-of-beyond even by the Isle of Wight's usual standards of isolation. This particular surf forecast is based just off St Catherine's Lighthouse. The beaches round these parts are exceedingly rocky to the extent that you can't walk in a straight line.
My guess is that the only surfers out in the sea in Niton are total dudes with long golden hair and names like Brad and Chase.
My guess is that the only surfers out in the sea in Niton are total dudes with long golden hair and names like Brad and Chase.
View detailed surf forecast for Niton. Visit surf-forecast.com for more details, long range forecasts, surf reports, swell and weather maps.
The Niton surf forecast is based around this inhospitable spot near St Catherine's Lighthouse
Whitecliff Bay Surf Forecast
Whitecliff Bay is a really lovely beach. It's got a lovely shape to it, lots of sand and interesting cliffs. I often include it in my top five Isle of Wight beaches (although it's not a laminated list, like the one in Friends).
Reaching Whitecliff Bay is quite an effort. It is mostly used by the residents of two holiday parks called Sandhills Holiday Park and Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park.
Assuming you aren't staying at one of those, you'll need to find somewhere to park and then walk quite some distance. When you finally get to the beach there's a steep slope down which is hard enough work to make a nun swear like Cathy Burke.
To be honest, I've got no idea what it's like to surf there. It certainly doesn't have a reputation as a great surf spot but there must be a reason why it's on a surf forecast website. My hunch is that it's a good spot in winter.
Reaching Whitecliff Bay is quite an effort. It is mostly used by the residents of two holiday parks called Sandhills Holiday Park and Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park.
Assuming you aren't staying at one of those, you'll need to find somewhere to park and then walk quite some distance. When you finally get to the beach there's a steep slope down which is hard enough work to make a nun swear like Cathy Burke.
To be honest, I've got no idea what it's like to surf there. It certainly doesn't have a reputation as a great surf spot but there must be a reason why it's on a surf forecast website. My hunch is that it's a good spot in winter.
Whitecliff Bay is a gem of a beach - but it's not famous for surfing
