Swell Intel

Forecast Accuracy

We track every forecast we make and compare it to what actually happened. No spin, no cherry-picking.

54%
Within 1ft of observed
1.11ft
Avg Error (MAE)
665+
Spots Tracked

Accuracy by Region

sorted by accuracy

Deep South

100%

within 1ft

100%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold100%
1.5ft threshold100%
MAE0.60ft
Spots3

Delaware

100%

within 1ft

100%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold100%
1.5ft threshold100%
MAE0.70ft
Spots6

Georgia

100%

within 1ft

100%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold100%
1.5ft threshold100%
MAE0.72ft
Spots2

Maryland

100%

within 1ft

100%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold100%
1.5ft threshold100%
MAE0.66ft
Spots1

New Jersey

89.5%

within 1ft

93%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold89.5%
1.5ft threshold93%
MAE0.72ft
Spots57

Orange County, California

84.8%

within 1ft

90%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold84.8%
1.5ft threshold90%
MAE0.72ft
Spots33

Texas

84.2%

within 1ft

89%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold84.2%
1.5ft threshold89%
MAE0.67ft
Spots19

Los Angeles County, California

83.3%

within 1ft

89%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold83.3%
1.5ft threshold89%
MAE0.76ft
Spots24

San Diego County, California

78.8%

within 1ft

86%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold78.8%
1.5ft threshold86%
MAE0.77ft
Spots33

Ventura County, California

76.9%

within 1ft

85%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold76.9%
1.5ft threshold85%
MAE0.79ft
Spots13

Florida - West Coast

73.9%

within 1ft

83%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold73.9%
1.5ft threshold83%
MAE0.77ft
Spots23

Virginia

66.7%

within 1ft

78%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold66.7%
1.5ft threshold78%
MAE0.83ft
Spots3

North Carolina

53.6%

within 1ft

69%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold53.6%
1.5ft threshold69%
MAE1.17ft
Spots28

Puerto Rico

51.2%

within 1ft

67%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold51.2%
1.5ft threshold67%
MAE1.09ft
Spots41

Oahu

50%

within 1ft

67%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold50%
1.5ft threshold67%
MAE1.08ft
Spots6

Maine

50%

within 1ft

67%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold50%
1.5ft threshold67%
MAE1.07ft
Spots22

Rhode Island

40.9%

within 1ft

61%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold40.9%
1.5ft threshold61%
MAE1.32ft
Spots22

Massachusetts

40%

within 1ft

60%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold40%
1.5ft threshold60%
MAE1.04ft
Spots30

Oregon

35%

within 1ft

57%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold35%
1.5ft threshold57%
MAE1.27ft
Spots20

Santa Barbara County, California

30.8%

within 1ft

54%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold30.8%
1.5ft threshold54%
MAE1.52ft
Spots13

Florida - East Coast

29.7%

within 1ft

53%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold29.7%
1.5ft threshold53%
MAE1.41ft
Spots64

South Carolina

28.6%

within 1ft

52%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold28.6%
1.5ft threshold52%
MAE1.37ft
Spots14

New York

21.4%

within 1ft

48%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold21.4%
1.5ft threshold48%
MAE1.26ft
Spots28

Northern California

21.4%

within 1ft

48%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold21.4%
1.5ft threshold48%
MAE1.83ft
Spots42

New Hampshire

16.7%

within 1ft

44%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold16.7%
1.5ft threshold44%
MAE1.58ft
Spots6

Washington

7.7%

within 1ft

38%

within 1.5ft

1ft threshold7.7%
1.5ft threshold38%
MAE1.71ft
Spots13

Accuracy Over Time

Getting Better Every Day

Every forecast we generate is another data point that makes the next one more accurate. As we collect more data across more swell events, seasons, and edge cases, our model learns the unique behavior of each coastline and refines its corrections.

We run automated calibration after every model cycle, comparing our predictions against NDBC buoy observations and benchmark forecasts. When a region consistently over- or under-predicts, our system applies per-spot corrections that tighten accuracy over time. The more data we collect, the better every forecast gets.

How We Measure

Mean Absolute Error (MAE)

The average difference between our predicted wave height and the observed height, in feet. Lower is better. An MAE under 1ft means our forecast is reliably within one foot of reality.

% Within 1ft

How often our forecast lands within one foot of the actual wave height. This is the metric that matters most for planning your session — if we say 3ft, you can trust it will be 2-4ft.

Multi-Resolution Model

Coarse grids capture open-ocean swells, intermediate grids resolve regional coastline effects, and fine grids (down to 50m resolution) model how waves transform over each spot's unique bathymetry.

Daily Calibration

Every model run is compared against NDBC buoy stations and benchmark forecasts. Per-spot corrections are applied automatically to continuously improve accuracy across all regions.

Accuracy is everything.

If we can't earn your trust with data, we haven't earned your money. When we get it wrong, we tell you why and what we're doing about it. We believe transparency makes better forecasts — and better forecasts make better sessions.

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