Important notes
- If you don't know the difference between swell and surf, read Swell vs Surf
- If you've never seen a spectra graph before, read Swell Spectra
- The spectra graph on spot pages is generated by our global wave model. The spectra graph on buoy pages is generated from recorded observations at sea.
- This feature is only available to our Premium and Forecast members
How do I find the Buoy Spectra?
On the website, you can access the Buoy Report page by clicking on the buoy at the bottom of any spot page..
..Or by heading to the Map link under the Cams & Forecast dropdown menu, and selecting Wave buoys on the Surf spots map. Then select the buoy you would like to view from the left side of the page:
From the Buoy Report page, expand the Swell Spectra Labs graph highlighted below.
In the app, head to any spot page, and scroll to the bottom of the Live tab to see the buoys. Click the View Buoy Data link to view the Buoy Report page:
See our Buoys article to if you haven't yet found them on the app & website.
Why is this data useful to me?
Get a good rundown from our Director of Forecasting, Kevin Wallis here
- Distinguish between mixed/messy/jumbled surf and clean/organized/lined-up surf
- Will help you determine which kind of break (beach, reef, or point) you'll go surf
- Distribution of energy across different periods (and the mean direction of each period)
Related to