Read the ocean.
Trust the signal.

Accuracy varies by coastline, forecast horizon, station coverage and weather pattern. SWELLRADAR separates short- and longer-range performance, shows model agreement and compares saved forecasts with independent observations where suitable stations exist. Confidence is reduced when the evidence is incomplete or divergent.

Marine models describe an offshore grid, while the break transforms that energy through depth, reef or sandbank shape, shelter, currents and local wind. A 1.5 m offshore forecast therefore does not mean every wave will break at exactly 1.5 m.

Different marine samples can independently round to the same tenth of a metre. Matching height does not mean matching conditions: compare swell period, direction, timing and model agreement. Only nearby breaks assigned to the same offshore model cell share one marine run; the displayed height is not a measured wave face at the break.

A calibrated break has a reviewed location and a usable profile for direction, wind and tide response. It can receive a Surf Score. Community-mapped breaks remain visible, but SWELLRADAR avoids presenting them with the same level of certainty.

Modelled data is a forecast produced for a marine grid. A quality-checked forecast has passed source and plausibility checks; that alone does not prove historical accuracy. Sensor-observed data comes from an independent station such as a buoy. Stations can be distant or delayed, so SWELLRADAR shows their status and only uses close, recent matches for near-term offshore adjustment. Voluntary surfer reports remain an optional, separate community layer.

People choose whether and when to share conditions. A quiet reporting period says nothing reliable about the surf, and a few reports may not represent the whole lineup. The optional community layer shows anonymous, recent reports from signed-in surfers, with one active read per account and break in a six-hour window. These reports do not validate, correct or replace the marine forecast, confidence or Surf Score. Independent ocean-station observations are used for forecast verification when suitable.

SWELLRADAR rechecks the provider regularly and shows when the forecast was retrieved. That retrieval time is not the issue time of the underlying best-match wave model, which the feed does not supply. Older cached forecasts and incomplete feeds are labelled; forecasts beyond the protected window are withheld rather than presented as current.

Forecast Shift aligns the current retrieved marine forecast with the previous verified snapshot for the same ocean grid. It compares matching times for wave height, swell period and wind, then recalculates the model-only Best Surf Window. It is a snapshot comparison, not proof that two distinct source-model runs were issued.

It smooths the offshore swell-energy signal across the next seven days and looks for a meaningful rise above the near-term baseline. Only a sufficiently strong change in energy, swell height or period is promoted as an arrival-to-peak event. Otherwise SWELLRADAR labels the signal steady or quiet instead of inventing a swell. The timing remains model guidance because bathymetry and shelter can shift what reaches the break.

A Swell Watch follows one distinct offshore energy event and triggers when its modelled arrival enters your chosen lead time. You can require a minimum peak energy and confidence. It is deliberately separate from a Surf Window alert: an arriving swell can still meet poor wind, tide or local hazards, so it is not a recommendation to paddle out.

The planner evaluates the forecast hour by hour and looks for a coherent window—not one isolated peak. At calibrated breaks it weighs swell, period, direction, wind, tide fit and confidence, then can personalise the ranking around your level, board, time and travel limit.

My Radar turns your saved breaks into a personal coast briefing. It highlights the strongest next surf window, compares saved spots, shows a seven-day decision strip and surfaces distinct approaching swell events without mixing them with complete surf recommendations.

It compares the nearest mapped breaks with complete forecast coverage and ranks them using surf quality, confidence, calibration and—when available—Your Fit. It does not use generic popularity. If nearby data is incomplete, the comparison stays cautious rather than filling the panel with invented precision.

Calibrated, Mapped and Coast filter location quality. Pulse shows fresh anonymous surfer observations, Swell shows distinct modelled energy events, and 24h, 3d or 7d changes the event horizon. These controls change what is visible on the map, not the underlying spot forecast.

SWELLRADAR only scores a reviewed break when the required marine run and break profile are available. A recovering feed, incomplete seven-day coverage or an unverified coastal location can therefore remain visible without a score. Missing evidence is shown as missing instead of being replaced with synthetic conditions.

Surf Score describes the forecast setup at the break. Your Fit asks how well that setup matches you. It starts from your surf profile and, after you log sessions, gradually learns from the conditions, boards and breaks connected with your strongest surfs. Your private history never turns a weak forecast into a strong general Surf Score.

It compares forecast-linked sessions with the conditions you actually reported, then shows supported patterns across wave height, board, wind quality, breaks and session quality. Small samples remain labelled as early signals. You can edit or delete any session, and the private calibration updates accordingly.

Yes. Once Your Fit is available, spot and regional alerts can require both a minimum Surf Score and a minimum Your Fit. This keeps the public forecast assessment separate from the personal match and prevents a personal preference from upgrading weak general conditions.

No. Alerts report that selected forecast conditions were matched. Delivery can be delayed and local hazards can change quickly. Official warnings, lifeguards, signage, water quality and your own assessment at the coast always take priority.

Yes. Forecasts, maps and break guides are available without signing in. An account synchronises saved spots, surf preferences and alert settings between sessions.