Thursday 04 September 2025
The surf will be 5-6 feet (1.5-1.8m), cleanish in the morning, choppy in the afternoon. Tides will be low at 11am and high at 5:10pm (7.4m). Great conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing in the north and west. Swimming conditions will only be good in sheltered locations, especially Fermain.
Friday 05 September 2025
Thursday’s surf will be Cleanest in the morning and Friday’s best in the afternoon. Thurday’s pretty huge (around 8 feet or more) and good for windsurfing and kitesurfing too. Friday’s surf a more modest 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5m). Tides will be low around 11am and midday respectively. High water will be around dinnertime.
The Weekend
Thursday’s surf will be Cleanest in the morning and Friday’s best in the afternoon. Thurday’s pretty huge (around 8 feet or more) and good for windsurfing and kitesurfing too. Friday’s surf a more modest 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5m). Tides will be low around 11am and midday respectively. High water will be around dinnertime.
Next Week
Big surf all week, mostly quite clean in terms of wind-direction, but often quite difficult in terms of wind-strength. Windsurfers and kitesurfers will obviously be having a great time, but swimmers will need to seek shelter on a daily basis, e specially as the tides will be very large (probably as large as 10m at the peak on Tuesday, accounting for lower than normal atmospheric pressure).
Beach etiquette
The sea and the beach belong to the earth (and the fish.)
Everyone has a right to use it. Nobody is more entitled than anyone else. Do so respectfully of all those around you.
Respect the environment. Take your litter home. Park considerately. Drive cautiously. Be aware of others (especially residents) in how you use the area.
All beaches have clear guidance at their entrances about safety and conditions on the beach and in the water. Be sure to read these.
Most beaches have zoned areas indicating where different usages and watersports are allowed.
Do not swim in the surf zones. Do not surf in the swim zones.
Vazon Bay is the beginner's beach. It has an area specifically reserved for novice surfers (north of the central steps; behind the restaurant). It's where the surf school is.
The reef at Vazon is mostly for experienced surfers. Most other breaks in Guernsey are unsuitable for novices.
Surf etiquette
All surfers should learn and follow these simple rules to maximise everyone's enjoyment of the water together!
- Right of way: nearest the break has right of way
- Don't drop in: if someone's on the wave, wait for another
- Paddle sensibly: paddle out through the foam out of the way of others on waves
- Hold on to your board (aka: don't ditch): your board is your lifeline but also a massive liability; hold on to it at all costs and for the safety of yourself and of others around you
- Don't snake (aka: don't steal position) - wait your turn!
- Avoid packed lineups: if a take-off is already crowded, don't make it worse. Find a different take-off
- Share the waves: there's plenty to go round
- Be humble and kind: if you make a mistake, apologise. Be gracious if you're the recipient of that.
- Novices: respect the experienced surfers around you. They can help you get better.
- Old guys: be tolerant of novices. Share your wisdom. You were a beginner once.
Did you know?
There is a 50-year old legal requirement to have third party insurance to go longboarding in Guernsey!
A longboard is defined as 'a board used for the purpose of riding the surf measuring more than five feet in length along a horizontal plane between the two most distant extremities of the board'!
No mention of paddleboards, kitesurfing, windsurfing or kayaks though!