Boating Forecast
A live boating forecast for any spot on planet Earth — wind, waves, and sea-surface conditions rated GO, CAUTION, or NO-GO for the days ahead, over a real-time sea-surface-temperature map. Know before you go.
AI marine forecasts for any spot on Earth
These four spots are just a live preview. In the free SeaLegs AI app, drop a pin on your own launch point, fishing hole, or anchorage and get the same plain-English GO / CAUTION / NO-GO boating forecast — anywhere on the planet.
📍 Get a Marine Forecast Near You →or download directly:
What is a boating forecast?
A boating forecast is a marine weather forecast built around the conditions that actually decide your day on the water: wind speed and direction, wave height and period, and the overall sea state. Unlike a land forecast, it's not about whether it'll rain — it's about whether the water is safe and comfortable for your boat.
The hard part is reading it. Raw marine data — knots, significant wave height, swell period in seconds — takes experience to interpret. SeaLegs AI does that interpretation for you, turning the numbers into a single, honest rating for each spot and each day:
Featured boating spots
The cards above show a live boating forecast for each of these featured spots, refreshed as new marine model data arrives. Want the same forecast for your own launch point or fishing spot? Add it free in the SeaLegs AI app.
Hudson Canyon Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Hudson Canyon — the largest submarine canyon on the U.S. East Coast, roughly 70–100 nautical miles offshore of New York Harbor and a premier run for tuna, marlin, and mahi. A long offshore run where wind against current and swell period decide the day.
📋 Latest outlook: Sunday is fine, but Monday's storm surge and Tuesday leftovers close the window
Great boating day with light 2-16kt easterly/southerly winds and calm 1.8-2.8ft seas at 4-6 second periods. Best window is overnight through mid-afternoon when winds stay under 10kt. Conditions remain safe and comfortable all day.
Dangerous day: 15-23kt south/southeast winds gusting to 30kt, steep 3-5.9ft seas at 4-5 second periods, plus heavy rain. Afternoon brings a confused cross-sea as SSE swell crosses new WNW wind-waves. Stay off the water entirely.
Morning still rough with 4-5ft leftover seas at 5-second periods from the southeast despite lighter 9-15kt winds. Conditions gradually improve after midday as seas ease to 3-4ft. Best to avoid this day, especially before noon.
This three-day stretch opens with a calm, boat-friendly Sunday but deteriorates fast as a strong system pushes through Monday, bringing high winds and steep, short-period seas that persist into Tuesday morning. Only Sunday offers safe conditions for recreational boaters; Monday and Tuesday should be avoided.
Islamorada Hump Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Islamorada Hump — “The Hump” off Islamorada in the Florida Keys — an underwater seamount that rises sharply into the Gulf Stream and stacks up blackfin tuna, amberjack, and pelagics. Strong current over the structure makes sea state and wind direction the difference between a comfortable troll and a rough ride.
📋 Latest outlook: Three straight GO days with light winds and calm seas
Good boating day with 9-13kt east winds and small 2-3ft organized seas at 4-second periods. Calmest stretch is midday around 12:00 PM-3:00 PM. High confidence, no concerns.
Excellent light-wind day, easing from 9kt to just 3-4kt east winds by afternoon. Seas stay small at 1.4-2.2ft with 3-4 second periods. Best window is 12:00 PM-4:00 PM when conditions go glassy.
Calm GO day with very light 2-4kt south-southwest to west-southwest winds and tiny seas under 1ft through midday. Some model uncertainty on wave period later in the day, but conditions stay safe and comfortable throughout.
This is a great stretch for boating with light winds and small, well-organized seas across all three days. Confidence is high throughout, with only a minor caveat about wave period uncertainty developing late Tuesday. Winds stay under 15 knots and waves stay under 3 feet the entire period, making for comfortable outings any time of day.
Cortez Bank Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Cortez Bank — a remote, shallow seamount about 100 miles off San Diego known for world-class fishing and giant open-ocean swell at Bishop Rock. Fully exposed offshore, so a careful read of swell height and period is essential before making the crossing.
📋 Latest outlook: Confused seas and building swell make this a weekend to skip
Light 12-15kt NW winds all day, but a SSW swell crossing the NW wind-wave creates a confused, uncomfortable cross-sea for the full 24 hours. Wave heights run 5.0-5.4feet - manageable size but awkward motion with no good heading.
Winds build to 16-21kt NW with gusts near 24knots and waves grow to 6+feet. A SSW swell crossing the NW wind-wave keeps a confused cross-sea going all day, with a steep 7-second chop spike near 3:00 PM - unsafe for recreational boating.
Winds gust to 27knots from the NW/WNW with waves building to 6.8feet at just 7 seconds. A SSW swell crossing the WNW wind-wave keeps a confused, steep cross-sea going nearly all day - conditions are unsafe, avoid the water entirely.
A persistent SSW swell crossing a NW-to-WNW wind-wave sets up an uncomfortable, confused cross-sea all three days, worsening as wind and wave heights climb into Monday and Tuesday. While winds stay in the good-to-moderate range for much of the period, the awkward wave interaction and eventually rough, steep chop push this stretch to an overall NO-GO for recreational boating.
FAD Buoy 1 Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for FAD Buoy 1 — a fish aggregating device anchored in open water that concentrates mahi-mahi, tuna, and wahoo around it. Open-ocean positioning means conditions can shift fast, so check the latest wind and wave outlook before running out.
📋 Latest outlook: Calm through Monday; light chop develops Tuesday afternoon
Calm all day with light 2-9kt winds and tiny 0.8-1.2ft seas at 3-4 second periods from the SW. No bad windows - great day for boating.
Good conditions with 9-11kt W/WSW winds and 1.2-1.8ft seas at 3-second periods. Slightly bouncier late evening as gusts rise to 15kt - morning through midday is best.
Starts calm but a few hours of steep, choppy wind-driven waves develop mid-morning to early afternoon as westerly winds hit 12-13kt with gusts to 17kt and seas reach 2.2-2.4ft at 3-second periods. Best to go early or after 2:00 PM; use caution during the midday window.
Sunday and Monday offer excellent light-wind, small-wave conditions ideal for boating. Tuesday remains a GO overall but a several-hour stretch of steeper wind-driven chop develops as westerly winds build to 12-13 knots with gusts to 17, warranting extra caution during that window.
San Jaime Bank Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for San Jaime Bank — a deep bluewater bank about 20 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, rising from the Tinaje Trough where upwelling stacks bait and holds blue and black marlin and yellowfin tuna. Open Pacific water, so read swell period and wind against current before the crossing.
📋 Latest outlook: Confused cross-seas both weekend days; Tuesday improves midday
Light 8-13knots NW winds all day, but a SW swell crossing the NW wind-wave creates a confused cross-sea with 5-6feet waves and no comfortable heading. Caution advised throughout Sunday despite the calm wind.
Light 7-13knots NW winds continue, but a SSW swell crossing the NW wind-wave keeps a confused cross-sea in place all day with 5feet waves. Evening winds ease but the choppy, mismatched sea state remains - caution advised.
Lightest winds of the period at 6-10knots NW-WNW. A confused SW-versus-NW cross-sea develops midday (7:00 AM-3:00 PM), but mornings before 7:00 AM and evenings after 4:00 PM see clean, organized SW swell - the best conditions of the whole forecast.
Light NW-WNW winds under 13 knots persist all three days, but a SSW/SW/WSW swell crossing the NW wind-wave creates a confused, uncomfortable cross-sea that keeps Sunday and Monday in caution status all day. Tuesday sees the cross-sea pattern shrink to a shorter midday window, with clean conditions returning by evening.
Baltimore Canyon Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Baltimore Canyon — a premier Mid-Atlantic canyon at the shelf edge about 60 miles off Ocean City and Cape May, where blue and white marlin and bigeye and yellowfin tuna set up on the warm shelf-break edge. A genuine offshore run, so weight swell period as heavily as height.
📋 Latest outlook: Monday's storm surf makes this a NO-GO boating window overall
Great boating day with light 4-14knot east/southeast winds and calm 2-3foot seas at 4-6 second periods all day. Conditions stay favorable from morning through evening with no significant deterioration.
Unsafe conditions with 21-24knot south/southwest winds gusting over 30knots and steep 5.5-6.1foot seas at 4-5 second periods. A confused cross-sea (SSW swell vs WNW wind-waves) plus heavy rain make for hazardous, uncomfortable seas - avoid boating until conditions ease late evening.
Excellent calm-water day with light under-10knot northwest winds and gentle 2.5-3foot seas at 5-6 second periods. Some hours see near-zero wind, making for very smooth, comfortable conditions all day.
Sunday and Tuesday offer excellent light-wind, small-wave conditions ideal for boating, but Monday brings a dangerous combination of steep 6-foot seas, sustained 20+ knot winds, and heavy rain that overwhelms recreational vessels. The overall three-day outlook is dragged to NO-GO by Monday's severe weather system passing through.
Sandy Hook Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Sandy Hook — the six-mile spit at the entrance to Lower New York Bay — the northern gateway to the Jersey Shore, where harbor current meets ocean swell at the tip and Raritan Bay offers a protected fallback when the oceanfront blows out.
📋 Latest outlook: Light winds overall, but afternoon chop demands caution both days
Calm early Sunday with light winds and smooth 1-2ft seas through midday. Afternoon brings 12-14kt south winds with gusts to 23kt, creating a steep, confused wind-wave chop crossing the underlying SE swell - best to be done boating by early afternoon.
Monday's early hours through mid-morning see 14-16kt SE winds with gusts to 24kt creating a steep, confused wind-wave chop against the swell. Conditions calm considerably by midday as winds shift north and ease, making afternoon and evening the better time to be out.
Tuesday offers the best conditions of the period: light winds under 8kt and gentle, well-organized 1-2ft seas at 5-6 second periods all day long. A great day for boating with no timing restrictions needed.
Sunday and Monday both start calm but develop a steep, short-period wind-wave chop in the afternoon/evening hours that overlays the underlying swell, creating uncomfortable, confused seas for several hours. Tuesday clears out nicely with light winds and well-organized seas all day, making it the pick of the window. Model confidence is high to moderate across all three days, with only Sunday showing some divergence in wave period forecasts.
Lake Erie Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Lake Erie — the shallowest of the Great Lakes, where a westerly wind gets the full long axis to work with and a shallow basin turns that fetch into short, steep sea faster than depth-blessed water ever would.
📋 Latest outlook: Three straight GO days with light winds and calm seas
Light 4-10knot winds and small 1-1.6feet seas make for a comfortable, easy day on the water. Winds shift from SE to W through the day but stay manageable with gusts under 17knots.
Light 6-9knot winds shifting from west to northwest with small 1.2-1.9feet seas. A few gusts to 19knots overnight but daytime conditions stay comfortable and manageable.
Near-calm winds by mid-morning (as low as 0-2knots) with tiny seas under 1foot make this the best day of the stretch. Winds build modestly to 7-8knots by afternoon but stay easy and manageable.
This is a great stretch for boaters, with light winds under 12 knots and small waves under 2 feet each day from Sunday through Tuesday. Confidence is high (95%) across all three days, with stable model agreement on wind, waves, and direction throughout the period.
Lake Michigan Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Lake Michigan — deep, cold, and 300 miles from end to end — a northerly gets the whole axis to work with, and the water stays cold enough to matter long after the air has warmed up.
📋 Latest outlook: Three straight GO days with light wind and calm seas
Light 4-7knot winds and calm 0.4-0.8foot seas make Sunday ideal for boating all day. Winds shift gradually from S to NW but stay gentle throughout. No bad windows - go anytime.
Monday brings light 3-10knot winds shifting from N to W/SW and small 1.1-1.6foot seas at 2-3 second periods. Comfortable conditions persist all day with no rough stretches to avoid.
Tuesday is a GO day but breezier, with 9-11knot SW winds (gusts to 20knots) and 1.8-2.1foot seas at 3-second periods from the SW. Morning is calmer than afternoon - head out early for the smoothest conditions.
This is a great stretch for boating, with light winds under 11 knots and small, well-organized seas of 3 feet or less all three days. Confidence is high (95%) across the period with stable model agreement on wind, waves, and direction, so these forecasts should hold.
Auckland / Hauraki Gulf Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Auckland / Hauraki Gulf — Auckland's inner sea, screened from the open Pacific by Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula. The shelter is directional — westerlies are short-fetch, but a sustained northeast runs straight down the gap and the swell arrives with far less to stop it.
📋 Latest outlook: Choppy, borderline conditions with steep short-period seas all three days
CAUTION Sunday: steep 2-3 second wind-chop builds from late morning through evening with S/SSE winds to 19 knots and gusts near 30 knots. Best window is before 9:00 AM when winds and seas are still light. Avoid midday into the evening for the choppiest, most uncomfortable conditions.
CAUTION Monday: early hours (midnight-8:00 AM) carry steep short-period S/SSW chop with winds to 15 knots and gusts to 22 knots. Conditions ease dramatically by afternoon - 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM is calm with light winds and seas under 1 foot, the best window of the forecast.
CAUTION Tuesday: SSW winds to 15 knots with gusts to 25 knots bring choppy short-period seas (2-2.6 feet at 2 seconds) especially in the early and mid-morning hours. Midday to early afternoon (noon-3:00 PM) offers the calmest window. Some model disagreement on wave heights adds uncertainty.
This forecast period sits in the CAUTION zone throughout, driven mainly by short-period wind-driven chop rather than dangerous wind speeds. Sunday and Monday both see several hours of steep, 2-3 second wave periods that make for an uncomfortable, choppy ride even though winds stay mostly manageable, while Tuesday's wave models show some disagreement on how much of that chop develops.
Tauranga Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Tauranga — the Bay of Plenty outside Tauranga, where Matakana Island splits the harbour into two entrances. Entrance flow runs hard, and swell against an outgoing tide is what stands the bar up — check the bar itself before committing.
📋 Latest outlook: Monday shines; Sunday and Tuesday need careful timing for chop
Calm early Sunday morning gives way to building SSE winds (12-13knots, gusts to 27knots) and a confused cross-sea where ENE swell meets a developing SE wind-wave. Expect choppy, uncomfortable conditions through much of the afternoon and evening. Best to go out early or wait for Monday.
Monday offers the best conditions of the period: light 4-9knots SW-S winds and seas easing to 1.1-1.2feet by mid-morning. Some model uncertainty on wave heights, but overall a comfortable, low-risk day for boating. Late morning through afternoon looks especially pleasant.
Tuesday starts choppy with steep, short-period SW wind-waves and gusts to 26knots overnight into early morning, even though seas stay under 2feet. Conditions improve steadily, with calm 0.6-0.9feet seas and light 5-7knots winds by midday and afternoon. Aim for a later departure to avoid the rough early hours.
This three-day stretch offers one clean GO day sandwiched between two CAUTION days affected by wind-driven chop and a crossing swell. Winds stay generally light (under 15 knots) throughout, but wave organization is the key issue on Sunday and Tuesday, so timing your outing matters more than watching the wind.
Moreton Bay Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Moreton Bay — Brisbane's sheltered water, screened from the Coral Sea by Moreton and North Stradbroke Islands. The bay is shallow, so a fresh southeasterly builds a short steep chop out of proportion to the wind — and the shelter ends where the islands do.
📋 Latest outlook: Confused seas with steep chop make this a NO-GO stretch
Mild-looking wind and wave numbers hide a stretch of very steep wind-wave chop crossing the SE swell for about 3 hours Sunday, creating a jarring, confused sea state. This is a NO-GO day - stay in despite the modest headline numbers.
Light 10-14knots SE-ESE winds mask a long-lasting confused cross-sea, with SE swell crossing ESE wind-waves for about 15 hours. Expect awkward, choppy motion most of the day - a CAUTION day requiring careful timing.
Morning brings about 8 hours of confused, choppy seas as SE swell crosses ESE wind-waves, but conditions calm nicely by afternoon with winds easing to 6-7knots and more organized seas. A CAUTION day - avoid the morning chop and consider the calmer afternoon/evening window instead.
Underlying wind and wave heights look modest all three days, but a confused cross-sea driven by steep, short-period wind-waves overlays the swell, producing uncomfortable, disorganized motion. Sunday sees the worst of it with a stretch of very steep chop, while Monday and Tuesday improve slightly but still carry hours of awkward, choppy conditions best avoided by recreational vessels.
Sydney Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Sydney — Sydney's exposed coastal water, where the pattern to respect from October to February is the southerly buster — an abrupt afternoon southerly change that can gust over 40 knots within minutes of arriving.
📋 Latest outlook: Light winds but choppy leftover seas keep this a caution week
Light 2-9kt SE winds all day, but seas stay elevated at 5.0-5.6ft (7-9s SE/SSE) around the clock. No real calm window - expect a choppy ride if you head out. High confidence in this pattern (95%).
Overnight into early Monday still carries 4.8-4.9ft SE seas, but conditions ease from 6:00 AM with lighter chop (4.5-4.7ft) and winds under 8kts. Good stretch from mid-morning through evening, though the day stays classed as caution due to lingering wave energy.
Best day of the period: light 1-7kt winds and manageable 4.1-4.5ft ESE seas at 7-8s periods, especially from mid-morning onward. A brief mixed sea state near dawn settles out quickly. High confidence forecast - good to go.
Winds stay light and manageable across all three days, but Sunday and Monday carry elevated wave energy (5-5.6ft) at borderline periods that keep sea state in the caution zone. Tuesday brings the best combination of light wind and more manageable swell, making it the clear pick of the period.
Cook Strait Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Cook Strait — the exposed water south of Wellington Harbour, where the gap between the North and South Islands funnels and accelerates the weather. Strong tidal streams mean wind against tide, not wind speed alone, is what decides the day.
📋 Latest outlook: Dangerous storm-force winds and huge seas rule out all three days
Dangerous gale-force south winds of 33-35 knots (gusts to 48 knots) and seas up to 15.3 feet make Sunday unsafe for boating all day. Slight easing by evening still leaves seas near 10 feet - stay off the water.
Monday sees a brief lull overnight with winds down to 14-16 knots, but seas of 7.5-9 feet remain too rough, and conditions worsen again by afternoon with 22-27 knot winds and seas rebuilding past 10-12 feet. Not a safe boating day.
Tuesday is the worst day of the outlook: 27-34 knot south winds, gusts to 47 knots, and seas building to nearly 20 feet. A confused cross-sea with SSW swell crossing S wind-waves adds dangerous, unpredictable motion - avoid the water entirely.
A powerful, sustained southerly gale dominates this entire period, with sustained winds of 22-35 knots and seas building from roughly 8 feet to nearly 20 feet at times. Even the brief lulls late Sunday into Monday morning still carry rough, hazardous seas well beyond safe limits for recreational boating. This is a full three-day NO-GO with no genuinely safe boating window.
Perth Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Perth — Perth's coastal water, run on a clock by the Fremantle Doctor — the 15–20 knot southwesterly sea breeze that fills in most warm-season afternoons. Mornings are usually the calm half of the day.
📋 Latest outlook: Deteriorating seas through Monday keep this a NO-GO weekend
CAUTION day: light-to-moderate 13-18knots NE winds early, but a confused cross-sea develops as WSW swell meets a building N wind-wave, with wind increasing to 19-21knots gusting 27knots by evening. Favor midday hours and use caution around building chop.
NO-GO: severe W/WSW winds 25-29knots gusting near 39knots with seas building to 10-11 feet and a steep wind-wave chop layered on top. Dangerous all day; avoid boating.
NO-GO: leftover WSW swell keeps seas at 8-9.7 feet all day despite lighter 10-15knots WNW/W winds. Seas too large for safe boating; wait for swell to drop.
A building westerly swell combined with strengthening winds turns this into an unsafe stretch for recreational boating, with Monday bringing severe gale-force winds and near 10-foot seas. Sunday holds together early with light NE winds but develops a confused cross-sea by afternoon, while Tuesday's wave heights remain hazardous even as wind eases. Only isolated hours late Sunday night into early Monday morning are usable, and even those are marginal.
Napier Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Napier — the open western shore of Hawke Bay, where boats cross exposed water from Napier and Ahuriri to the snapper and kingfish grounds. East and southeast swell drives the day; an offshore westerly flattens it right down.
📋 Latest outlook: NO-GO all three days: confused seas and steep chop dominate
NO-GO Sunday: a confused cross-sea (E swell vs S wind-wave) plus building waves to 7.3feet at 7-second periods from the SE make for unsafe, disorganized seas. Winds are manageable at 10-16knots SSW, but wave conditions are the dealbreaker all day.
NO-GO Monday: steep SSW wind-wave chop for about 6 hours plus a confused cross-sea (SE swell vs SSW wind-wave) for 3 hours make conditions choppy and disorganized. Waves ease from near 7feet to about 5feet at 7-8 seconds through the day, but the awkward wave pattern persists almost continuously.
NO-GO Tuesday: the worst day of the stretch, with SW wind gusts up to 33knots, steep wind-wave chop for 7 hours, and a confused cross-sea (SE swell vs SSW wind-wave) for 6 hours. Waves build to 6.6feet at 8-second periods from the SSE - unsafe for boating all day, especially midday through evening.
This entire period is unsuitable for recreational boating due to persistent rough sea states. Winds themselves stay mostly moderate (10-18 knots), but the real hazard is the wave pattern - swell and wind-generated waves arriving from different directions create confused, uncomfortable cross-seas, compounded by steep wind-wave chop on Monday and Tuesday.
Kaikōura Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Kaikōura — a coast that sits over a 1,000 m canyon within a few miles of the peninsula. One thing decides a small-boat day here — the southerly, which builds fast and hard and can shut a launch down by mid-morning.
📋 Latest outlook: Three-day NO-GO stretch: rain, cross-seas, and building surf
Rain (0.76in) and hazardous 7+ft SSE swell make Sunday a NO-GO despite light 6-12knot SW winds. Seas ease slightly toward evening but stay in the caution zone at best. Not a safe day to head out.
Monday starts calm but a confused cross-sea forms later as SSE swell meets a building SW wind-wave, with gusts spiking to 38knots by night. The pleasant 5:00 AM-11:00 AM window can't offset the deteriorating evening conditions. Overall NO-GO.
Tuesday is the worst day of the period: winds gust to 43knots overnight and waves build to nearly 12ft from the south. Every hour is rated bad for both wind and seas. Stay off the water entirely.
This is a NO-GO period across all three days due to heavy rain on Sunday, a confused cross-sea developing Monday, and rapidly building southwest swell and wind combining into rough, hazardous seas by Tuesday. Even the calmer-looking wind windows are undermined by leftover swell and building sea state, so none of these days are suitable for recreational boating.
Cairns Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Cairns — the gateway to the northern Great Barrier Reef, where almost every trip crosses open water from Trinity Inlet to the outer ribbons. The SE trades set the sea state and decide the run out.
📋 Latest outlook: Three straight GO days with light winds and gentle seas
Light under-6knot south winds and gentle 3-3.7foot easterly seas at 6-second periods make Sunday a great day on the water, with high forecast confidence throughout.
Monday starts breezier with gusts to 25knots overnight into early morning, but easterly seas stay near 3.5-3.8feet at 6 seconds - still manageable. Winds and seas calm nicely from mid-morning onward, making 10:00 AM onward the sweet spot.
Overnight into early morning brings gustier 24-25knot southeast winds, but 3-3.3foot easterly seas at 6 seconds stay organized. Conditions ease by mid-morning to light 4-5knot winds and steady 3foot seas, keeping the day a solid GO.
A very benign weather pattern holds through Sunday to Tuesday, with light south to southwest winds staying mostly under 10 knots and small 3-4 foot easterly seas at 6-second periods. Confidence is high across all three days (95%), and no problematic sea-state or wind hazards are expected, making this a solid stretch for recreational boating.
Nelson Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Nelson — the sheltered top of Tasman Bay, where the bay geometry and Farewell Spit knock down most open-ocean swell. Wind-driven chop and the afternoon sea breeze, not swell, make the call.
📋 Latest outlook: Three calm, boat-friendly days with light winds and small seas
Light 4-8kt SW winds and small 0.3-0.7ft seas make for a comfortable day on the water. Some model uncertainty on wave height, but winds are steady and conditions stay safe and manageable throughout.
Monday is the pick of the week - light winds under 8kt and seas under 0.8ft all day, with high forecast confidence. Ideal for a relaxed outing any time from morning through evening.
Tuesday starts breezier overnight (gusts to 19kt SSW) but eases to a pleasant 6-9kt SW breeze by mid-morning, with seas staying small under 0.8ft all day. Best conditions arrive from late morning into the evening.
A settled pattern holds through Sunday to Tuesday with light southwest winds staying under 12 knots and tiny seas under 1.5 feet all three days. This is a solid stretch for recreational boating with no significant weather threats, though wave period readings are short throughout, keeping the water a bit choppy rather than glassy.
Port Phillip Bay Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Port Phillip Bay — a big enclosed bay off Melbourne with no ocean swell — the sea state is wind-driven chop that stands up short and steep the moment the breeze pipes up. The Rip at the Heads is a separate, serious decision.
📋 Latest outlook: Calm Sun-Mon, then Tuesday evening chop with cross-seas
Great Sunday conditions with light 3-11knot SE winds and small 0.5-1.6feet seas at 4-8 second periods. Comfortable and stable all day - one of the best days in the forecast.
Monday stays calm with light 2-10knot E to NE winds and seas under 1.6feet at 2-7 second periods. High confidence forecast - another great day for boating.
Calm Tuesday morning turns rough by evening as NNE winds build to 15-20knots with gusts near 28knots and seas reach 2-3feet at short periods. A confused cross-sea forms as ENE swell meets the NNE wind-wave train - plan to be back by 7:00 PM.
Sunday and Monday offer light winds and small, well-organized seas ideal for boating. Tuesday starts calm too, but from late afternoon into the evening, rising NNE winds build a steep wind-wave chop that crosses the lingering ENE swell, creating a confused, uncomfortable sea state - use caution or plan to be off the water before evening.
Bay of Islands Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Bay of Islands — roughly 144 islands with glassy inner waters and exposed outer game grounds — the two rarely match. The call is how much easterly swell you'll take once you clear the last island.
📋 Latest outlook: Sunday's strengthening south winds bring a NO-GO; Mon-Tue clear up nicely
NO-GO Sunday: south winds build to 15-18 knots with gusts over 30 knots by afternoon, pushing up steep, short-period 3feet wind-chop. Even the calmer morning hours carry gust risk to near 28 knots. Best to stay off the water entirely.
GO Monday: leftover south swell near 3feet fades by mid-morning as winds ease to single digits. Afternoon and evening bring excellent light 4-7 knot winds and calm 1.3-1.6feet seas at long 8-second periods - a great window to be on the water.
GO Tuesday: light 6-11 knot south to southwest winds and small 1-1.7feet seas make for a calm, easy day on the water. Gusts pick up again after dark, so aim to wrap up your outing by early evening.
Sunday sees deteriorating conditions as southerly winds build through the afternoon and evening, pushing gusts into the low 30-knot range with steep, short-period wind-chop, which triggers the NO-GO. Monday and Tuesday both settle into GO conditions, with light winds and small, well-organized seas offering good boating windows, especially through the middle of the day and into the evening.
Gold Coast Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Gold Coast — where the day is decided at the Seaway bar — a SE groundswell against an ebbing tide turns the entrance dangerous. Read swell period against the tide before the offshore forecast even matters.
📋 Latest outlook: Rough SE swell 6-8ft all three days — stay off the water
NO-GO Sunday: light SSE/SE winds (5-9kts) but building SE swell from 5.4 to 7ft at just 6-second periods creates rough, choppy seas all day. Not safe for recreational boating despite calm winds.
NO-GO Monday: swell peaks at 7.7ft/7s from the SE/ESE, the roughest day of the period. Winds are light (6-10kts SE) but the steep short-period swell makes seas unsafe for boating throughout the day.
NO-GO Tuesday: SE/ESE swell eases slightly to 6.2-6.9ft at 7-second periods but remains unsafe for recreational boating. Winds are light (5-10kts) yet the swell keeps seas rough all day.
Winds stay light and manageable (5-10kts) across all three days, but persistent SE swell building to 6-8 feet at 6-7 second periods makes for rough, uncomfortable seas throughout. This is a swell-height problem, not a wind problem, so there's no safe window to exploit despite the calm breezes.
Hervey Bay Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Hervey Bay — sheltered in the lee of K'gari (Fraser Island), which walls off the Coral Sea swell, so it's mostly local wind-chop. Strong northerlies down Platypus Bay are the exception.
📋 Latest outlook: Three straight GO days with light winds and calm seas
Light 8-14knot southeast winds and small 1-1.8foot seas make for a comfortable GO day. Best conditions are afternoon and evening as winds ease to 8-10knots. High confidence in this stable forecast.
Gentle 9-13knot southeast winds and 1.2-1.5foot seas hold steady all day - a reliable GO day. Lightest winds are mid-morning around 9:00 AM-10:00 AM. High confidence in this forecast.
Light 8-12knot winds and small 1.1-1.5foot seas make this the calmest day of the period. Winds ease to just 8-9knots from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. High confidence GO day with easy conditions all around.
A stable, benign pattern holds across all three days with light 8-14knot southeast to south-southeast winds and small 1-2foot seas at short 2-second periods. Model confidence is high (95%) across the board, with no confused cross-seas or significant hazards expected, making this a solid stretch for recreational boating.
Coromandel Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Coromandel — snapper country around the Mercury Islands off Whitianga — often sheltered in close, but the open east coast catches easterly swell the moment you push out past the islands.
📋 Latest outlook: Rough weekend seas force a no-go; Tuesday brings calm relief
NO-GO Sunday: SSE winds build to 14-17knots with gusts to 32knots, and seas peak near 6.4feet at short 5-6 second periods from the ESE. A confused cross-sea develops where E swell meets SSE wind-waves, plus 0.53in of rain. Unsafe for boating.
NO-GO Monday: dangerous leftover 6-6.5feet seas at 6-second periods linger overnight with SSE winds gusting to 30knots. Conditions improve through the afternoon as winds ease to 7-12knots SW and seas drop toward 3feet, but the day overall remains unsafe.
GO Tuesday: light 8-13knots SW winds and easing 1.8-2.6feet seas at 4-6 second periods from the SE make for comfortable boating. Best window is 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM with the calmest winds and seas of the day.
Sunday and Monday bring building southeast swell colliding with south to southeast wind-waves, pushing seas to 6+ feet with steep, short periods and a soaking 0.53in of rain on Sunday — unsafe for recreational boating. Conditions finally relax by Tuesday as wind drops into the single digits to low teens and seas settle under 2.5 feet, making it the clear pick of the period. Model confidence on wave height is notably low across all three days, so treat forecasted wave heights as approximate and check updates closer to departure.
Strait of Georgia Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Strait of Georgia — the open water between Vancouver and Nanaimo, sheltered from Pacific swell by Vancouver Island. Almost all of its sea is locally generated wind chop, so a summer northwesterly building through the afternoon matters more here than any swell arriving from offshore.
📋 Latest outlook: Calm, glassy conditions all three days - excellent for boating
Calm Sunday with 5-9knots SE winds and seas under 1foot at 1-2s periods. Comfortable conditions from morning through evening with no rough stretches - a great day to be on the water.
Light winds under 6knots shifting from SSE to NW through the day, with seas staying below 0.7feet at 1-2s periods. A calm, easy day with no rough conditions to watch for.
Light SE-ESE winds of 3-7knots and small 0.3-0.5feet seas at 1-2s periods persist all day Tuesday. Steady, calm conditions make this another easy day on the water.
This is a wonderful stretch of light-wind, small-wave weather with all three days rated GO. Winds stay under 10 knots and seas remain under a foot with short but well-organized wind-chop throughout, so there's no bad window to avoid on any of these days.
Halifax Approaches Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Halifax Approaches — the open Atlantic approaches south of Chebucto Head, outside the shelter of Halifax Harbour. Long-period swell runs here independently of local wind, so a calm morning ashore says very little about the sea state past the headland.
📋 Latest outlook: Good Sunday, but chop builds mid-week on Mon/Tue afternoons
Excellent conditions all day with light winds under 11knots and calm 1.4-1.9feet seas at 6-7 second periods from the south. Great visibility throughout - ideal for boating any time Sunday.
Morning is manageable with 8-11knots winds and modest seas, but afternoon brings about 5 hours of steep, short-period wind-wave chop that makes for an uncomfortable ride. Plan to be out early or expect choppier conditions midday into afternoon.
Winds build to 12-15knots from the south/south-southeast with seas climbing past 3feet by afternoon. A roughly 4-hour period of steep, short-period wind-wave chop develops midday into afternoon - best to head out early morning before conditions turn choppy.
Sunday offers the calmest, most favorable conditions with light winds and small, well-organized seas. Monday and Tuesday remain generally boatable but develop periods of steep, short-period wind-wave chop that create uncomfortable, choppy conditions for several hours each day. Boaters should plan trips around these windows and keep an eye on building southeast winds and seas heading into Wednesday.
Marseille Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Marseille — France's great Mediterranean port city — the rade de Marseille and the calanques coast, where a rising mistral can turn a calm morning into a short, steep sea by afternoon.
📋 Latest outlook: Dimanche idéal, mardi dangereux avec mer croisée en matinée
Dimanche parfait : vent sous 6 nœuds de secteur ouest-sud-ouest et creux de 0,2 à 0,3 mètre toute la journée. Aucune restriction horaire, conditions calmes et stables du matin au soir.
Lundi matin calme, mais de 12 h à 16 h le vent d'ouest monte à 13 nœuds (rafales 29 nœuds) avec des creux de 0,9 mètre et un clapot court et raide. Privilégier une sortie avant midi ou après 17 h.
Mardi matin dangereux (4 h – 10 h) : mer croisée entre houle de sud-ouest et clapot de vent d'ouest-nord-ouest à ouest, creux jusqu'à 1,0 mètre, période courte. Attendre après 11 h pour une mer plus rangée, avec amélioration continue en soirée.
Le week-end démarre sous d'excellentes conditions avec vent et creux faibles, puis la situation se dégrade nettement en début de semaine avec un vent de nord-ouest qui forcit et une mer courte et raide. Mardi matin présente une mer croisée dangereuse à éviter absolument, tandis que lundi conserve une fenêtre l'après-midi malgré un clapot inconfortable en milieu de journée.
Toulon Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Toulon — one of the Mediterranean's finest natural harbors — the rade de Toulon and the run east to Porquerolles and the îles d'Hyères, with the mistral off Cap Sicié setting the day's terms.
📋 Latest outlook: Dimanche calme, lundi agité par clapot croisé, mardi favorable
Dimanche est globalement calme avec des vents faibles et une mer plate, mais un clapot se forme en milieu de journée sous des vents de sud-ouest à 5 nœuds avec rafales à 15 nœuds. Les creux restent petits (0,2-0,4 m, période 2 s) mais un peu hachés pendant environ 5 heures. Le matin et la soirée restent les meilleurs moments.
Lundi présente un clapot de vent dangereux entre environ 10 h et 18 h, avec des creux courts et raides jusqu'à 1,3 m (période 3-4 s) sous des vents de nord-ouest à 12 nœuds et rafales à 29 nœuds. Il faut éviter cette période. Le début et la fin de journée restent calmes et praticables.
Mardi est la meilleure journée pour naviguer, avec des vents sous 12 nœuds et des creux de 0,6 à 0,9 m à une période de 4-5 s offrant une mer bien rangée. Une légère incertitude subsiste sur la hauteur exacte des creux, mais les conditions restent praticables toute la journée, avec un léger avantage le matin.
La fenêtre du week-end reste globalement favorable, mais un clapot de vent croisé se développe lundi en fin de matinée et milieu d'après-midi, rendant la mer inconfortable pendant plusieurs heures. Mardi, malgré un indice de confiance modéré sur la hauteur des creux, les conditions redeviennent praticables toute la journée. Il est recommandé d'éviter toute sortie lundi entre 10 h et 18 h et de privilégier dimanche ou mardi pour naviguer.
Cannes Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Cannes — the bay between the Croisette and the îles de Lérins — sheltered from the west by the Estérel, quick to turn uncomfortable when an easterly sends swell into the anchorages.
📋 Latest outlook: Trois jours calmes et favorables à la navigation de plaisance
Matinée très calme avec vent faible et mer plate. L'après-midi, le vent de secteur sud-sud-ouest se renforce (10-12 nœuds, rafales à 19 nœuds) avec des creux de 0,5-0,6 m, période 3 s, plus vivant mais sans danger. Retour au calme en soirée.
Nuit et matinée calmes, vent léger et mer douce (0,2-0,3 m). En milieu de journée, vent d'est-nord-est renforcé à 9-13 nœuds, rafales jusqu'à 20 nœuds, creux montant à 0,7 m de secteur sud, période 4 s. Accalmie en soirée, journée globalement propice à la sortie.
Vent faible (1-7 nœuds) toute la journée, de secteur nord-ouest le matin puis sud-sud-ouest l'après-midi. Mer bien rangée avec des creux de 0,3-0,4 m, période 3-4 s. Conditions confortables et stables du matin au soir, idéales pour la plaisance.
Ces trois journées offrent des conditions globalement excellentes pour la plaisance, avec des vents légers à modérés et une mer peu formée. Le dimanche 16 août présente une légère hausse du vent l'après-midi, tandis que lundi et mardi restent plus stables, avec un indice de confiance élevé (82 à 95 %) sur l'ensemble de la période.
La Rochelle Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for La Rochelle — France's sailing capital on the pertuis d'Antioche, the sheltered sound between the île de Ré and Oléron — Atlantic swell softened by the islands, but a tidal playground where wind against current stands the sea up fast.
📋 Latest outlook: Fenêtre idéale dimanche, clapot croisé lundi et mardi
Vent léger de secteur sud à sud-ouest sous 9 nœuds et creux de 0,3 à 0,4 m bien rangés toute la journée. Conditions stables et confortables, idéales pour la plaisance à tout moment de la journée.
Matinée calme avec vent léger de secteur nord-nord-ouest et creux de 0,3 m. De 13 h à 18 h, houle et clapot de secteur ouest-nord-ouest se croisent, créant une mer courte et inconfortable avec des creux à 0,7 m et des rafales à 21 nœuds — mieux vaut naviguer avant ou après cette fenêtre.
Nuit et matinée très calmes avec vent quasi nul et mer plate à 0,2 m. De 12 h à 17 h, houle et clapot de secteur ouest-nord-ouest se croisent, provoquant une mer courte et hachée avec des rafales à 18 nœuds — privilégier la sortie matinale.
Dimanche offre des conditions calmes et stables sur toute la journée, idéales pour la plaisance. Lundi et mardi restent globalement favorables mais présentent chacun une période de clapot de vent croisé avec la houle résiduelle sur environ 5 heures, générant une mer courte et inconfortable sans cap idéal. La confiance des modèles est élevée sur le vent et la hauteur des creux, mais divergente sur la période des vagues dimanche et lundi.
Le Havre Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Le Havre — the gateway to the baie de Seine — Channel swell from the west meeting the estuary's tidal streams, with the commercial approaches of one of France's great ports to respect.
📋 Latest outlook: Fenêtre favorable, quelques heures de clapot court à surveiller
Journée globalement calme avec vent léger de secteur nord-est à nord-nord-ouest et creux de 0,3 à 0,5 m. Une période de clapot court s'installe en début d'après-midi (environ 13 h – 17 h) avec des rafales à 18-20 nœuds, à éviter si possible. Le reste de la journée, notamment le matin et la soirée, offre une mer bien rangée.
Conditions favorables toute la journée avec vent de secteur nord-ouest de 4 à 10 nœuds et creux faibles de 0,2 à 0,8 m. Léger renforcement du vent en milieu de journée avec rafales à 20-21 nœuds, sans gêner la navigation. Mer bien rangée du début à la fin de la journée.
Vent modéré de secteur ouest à 5-10 nœuds toute la journée. Attention en matinée (2 h – 10 h) : la houle et le clapot de vent, tous deux de secteur ouest-nord-ouest mais mal alignés, créent une mer courte et croisée par moments. La mer se stabilise nettement à partir de 11 h avec des creux de 0,7 à 0,9 m plus réguliers.
Les trois prochains jours affichent des vents légers de secteur nord à ouest (généralement inférieurs à 10 nœuds) et une mer peu formée, avec un indice de confiance de 95 % sur l'ensemble de la période. Dimanche présente toutefois une brève période de clapot court et raide en après-midi, et mardi voit apparaître un début de mer croisée en matinée, ce qui justifie une vigilance ponctuelle malgré des conditions globalement clémentes.
Genova Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Genova — the Ligurian heart of Italian boating — flat inshore under a northerly tramontana, but the libeccio has the whole Ligurian Sea to build swell across before it reaches the gulf.
📋 Latest outlook: Tre giorni ottimi per uscire in barca, vento e mare sempre calmi
Domenica ideale dall'alba al tramonto: vento leggero da sud-est sotto i 5 nodi e mare quasi piatto (0,1-0,3 metri). Nessuna finestra critica, condizioni ottime tutto il giorno con alta affidabilità del modello.
Lunedì buono con il picco di vento e onde tra le 08:00 e le 16:00 (vento fino a 7 nodi da sud-sud-est, raffiche 20 nodi, onde 0,8 metri a 3-4 secondi). Mattina presto e sera restano più tranquille e sono la scelta migliore.
Martedì tranquillo con vento leggero (2-6 nodi) e onde da sud-sud-ovest in calo da 0,8 a 0,3 metri nel corso della giornata. Pomeriggio e sera sono il momento migliore, con mare più disteso e periodi di 4-5 secondi.
L'intero periodo dal 16 al 18 agosto presenta condizioni favorevoli per la nautica da diporto, con venti leggeri sotto i 7 nodi e mare poco mosso o calmo tutti i giorni. La fiducia previsionale è alta per domenica e lunedì, leggermente più contenuta per martedì a causa di un'evoluzione dell'altezza delle onde ancora in convergenza tra i modelli, ma senza impatti sulla sicurezza.
Palermo Boating Forecast
Live GO / CAUTION / NO-GO conditions for Palermo — the Tyrrhenian gulf below Monte Pellegrino — open to the north, so a northerly tramontana or grecale sends swell straight in while a southerly blows offshore and leaves the inshore water deceptively flat.
📋 Latest outlook: Tre giorni ottimi per la nautica, vento leggero e mare calmo
Domenica ottima tutto il giorno: vento da nord-nord-est di 5-7 nodi e mare poco mosso (0,1-0,3 metri). Nessuna finestra critica, navigabile in qualsiasi orario con condizioni leggermente più calme la sera.
Lunedì è la giornata migliore: vento debole da nord-ovest/nord-est (5-6 nodi) e mare quasi piatto tutto il giorno. Nessuna limitazione oraria, ottimo per uscite lunghe.
Martedì buono ma con vento in aumento nel pomeriggio: da 3-6 nodi al mattino fino a 8-10 nodi (raffiche 20-23 nodi) tra le 11:00 e le 18:00. Mare poco mosso, 0,4-0,5 metri. Meglio partire in mattinata.
Le condizioni sono favorevoli per tutto il periodo analizzato, con vento debole e mare poco mosso su tutti e tre i giorni. Martedì mostra un lieve aumento del vento nel pomeriggio ma resta entro limiti confortevoli per le imbarcazioni da diporto. La confidenza dei modelli è molto alta (95%) su tutto il periodo, quindi le previsioni sono affidabili.
Boating forecast FAQ
What is a boating forecast?
A boating forecast is a marine weather forecast focused on the conditions that matter on the water — wind speed and direction, wave height and period, and overall sea state — for a specific spot and time window. SeaLegs AI turns those raw conditions into a simple GO, CAUTION, or NO-GO rating so you can decide at a glance whether it's a good day to head out.
What do GO, CAUTION, and NO-GO mean?
GO means conditions are favorable for most recreational boats. CAUTION means conditions are marginal — manageable for experienced boaters in capable vessels, but worth a closer look at the wind and wave timing. NO-GO means conditions are hazardous for small craft and the trip is best postponed.
How often does the boating forecast update?
Each spot card shows live conditions that refresh as new marine model data is published. For a forecast tailored to your exact launch point, download the SeaLegs AI app and add your own spot.
Can I get a boating forecast for my own spot?
Yes. The featured spots are examples. In the free SeaLegs AI app you can add any location on Earth and get an AI boating forecast with GO/CAUTION/NO-GO guidance, fishing reports, and trip planning for that exact spot.
Get the boating forecast for your spot
These four spots are just the start. Get an AI boating forecast, fishing reports, and trip planning for any spot on planet Earth — free.
📍 Get a Marine Forecast Near You →or download directly: