Friday 10 April 2026
Solid west-coast surf again, with clean 5-6 foot (1.5-1.8m)ers, especially around lunchtime. Swimming conditions will be great too, especially on the north coast, and the more protected west-coast bays. Tiny tides, with lows around dawn and dinner time, and a high of 6.4m around midday.
Saturday 11 April 2026
Messy 4-5 foot (1.2-1.5m) surf through most of the day, then some fairly clean 8 foot surf in the evening, perhaps even big enough for some even cleaner waves on the north coast. Great windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions. Not so great for swimming though, unless you seek some super-shelter at Fermain or somewhere similarly oriented. Low tides will be around 8am and 8pm. High will be around 2pm (just a tiny 6.2m).
Sunday 12 April 2026
Semi-clean 10 foot surf on the west coast, probably some decent 4-6 foot (1.2-1.8m)ers on the north. Swimming will be east coast only. Tides will be low around breakfast time, then high at 3:40pm (just 6.5m, but with some hefty surge from that powerful Atlantic swell).
Next Week
The most predictable element is the tides, with highs increasing daily, from around 7m on Monday (around 4am and 5pm), to about 9.4m on Friday (around 7:20am and 7:40pm). Winds will possibly be good for windsurfing and kitesurfing on Thursday, but the other days are looking much calmer and well-suited to swimming and paddle-boarding (in the right places). Surf-wise, we are looking at mostly clean waves, varying from about 5 feet on Monday and Friday, to about 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9m) on Wednesday.
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!