Saturday 17 October 2026
The west-coast surf will be 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9m) but pretty much ruined by the crosswind. The south coast will be nice and sheltered for swimming though. Tides will be 7.3m at 10:40am, then low at 5pm.
Sunday 18 October 2026
Once again the west-coast surf will be pretty much ruined by the crosswind, but only 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6m) anyway on this occasion. The south coast will again be the most sheltered for swimmers. Tides will be 6.8m at 11:20am, then low at 5:45pm.
Monday and Tuesday
Tides will be high at lunchtime and very small, just 6.4m on Monday and 6.5m on Tuesday. The surf conditions will be lovely and clean, potentially 3 feet and excellent but possibly almost nothing, the reason being that the swell is small but of very long period. My current estimate is that Monday will be good on the expert reefs but pretty useless over the sands of Vazon. Tuesday, however, stands a good chance of being great in all locations (and thanks to the tiny tides, great at all times too).
Wednesday to Friday
Some great windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions, regardless of wind direction. For surfers, conditions will be mostly great too (pretty big by Friday, possibly 6-8 feet) (1.8-2.4m), but the odd squally weather front, especially on Wednesday, will blast the wind in briefly brutally onshore direction. Tides will be low in the late mornings and high in the late afternoons (increasing from 7m on Wednesday to 8.3m on Friday).
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!