Ranking updated
Surf forecast apps: find the window before you drive to the beach
Good surf is a coincidence of swell, wind and tide, and the forecast decides whether the drive is worth it. Surfline is the dedicated surf tool, with live cams and a forecasting team, and Windy is where many surfers check the wind models behind the forecast. A newer group of apps tries to make the same information easier to read at six in the morning.
How we chose: established forecast apps used for surf decisions, from each App Store description, read in October 2026.
A new surf forecast app
A younger app from an independent team in the Censuus catalogue.
SurfMatchGoogle Playan Android surf forecast made by surfers who found other apps cluttered with confusing graphs and ads; it combines Xweather data, wave modelling and community feedback.
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The dedicated surf tool: Surfline
Surfline combines its own forecast models, an in-house forecast team and a network of live surf cams. You get hourly ratings, surf height, wind, swell and tide per spot, a preview of tomorrow, and can track your sessions. The cams are the deciding feature: you see the actual water before you leave.
For reading the wind yourself: Windy
Windy is not a surf app, but surfers, kiters and sailors use it to look under the forecast. It visualises several weather models at high resolution, with radar and satellite layers, so you can see how the wind is expected to shift through the day and judge the conditions yourself.
Which one to pick
A ready answer and a look at the water: Surfline. Your own read of wind and weather: Windy. Many surfers use both. For everyday forecasts, see weather apps.
| App | What it shows | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| SurflineApp Store | live surf cams, expert forecasts, hourly surf height, swell, wind and tide | deciding where and when to surf |
| Windy.comApp Store | high-resolution weather models, wind, radar and satellite | checking the wind behind the forecast |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app for surf forecasts?
Surfline is the dedicated surf forecast app, with live cams, expert forecasts and hourly surf height, swell, wind and tide.
Do surfers use Windy?
Yes, many check Windy for detailed wind and weather models alongside a surf-specific forecast.
Is there a simpler surf forecast app?
SurfMatch is a newer Android app built to be clearer than the usual graph-heavy surf apps.