Wave heights
Coastal wave heights
Modern well-designed small craft are highly seaworthy. However wind and waves have a major bearing on performance and, in extreme conditions, can present a considerable threat. This web page aims to assist the small craft operator to assess the effect of waves at sea and is a summary of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority pamphlet Wind and Waves (PDF).
Information on the latest coastal wave heights at six locations along the NSW coast provided by the Department of Public Works and Services Manly Hydraulics Laboratory.
Please read the following and select the maximum wave height you are comfortable with for your boat.
Sea waves
Waves created by direct local action of wind on sea are termed sea waves and are measured by length and height. When wind reaches 2.5 km/h, gravity takes over from surface tension as the dominant force on wave form. The crests become more pointed, the troughs rounded. The wind reinforces the wave shape by pressing down on the windward side and eddying over the crest to reduce pressure on the leeward side. As wind increases further to around 13 km/h, the crests of the waves steepen until they become unstable and break, producing whitecaps.
Swell
Swell is generally regular wave motion caused by large meteorological disturbances operating at a distance. Swell persists after the disturbance has disappeared and maintains a constant direction as long as it keeps in deep water. Swell can travel for considerable distances. Since swell may have been instigated by a storm, the arrival of onshore swell can indicate that a storm is approaching.
Sea waves and swell
Sea waves caused by the local wind, are often superimposed on swell moving in from a distance. Interaction between the two can cause unpredictably high waves and dangers for mariners.
The following terminology is generally used to describe the length and height of swell:
| Length | Description |
| Short | 0-100 metres |
| Average | 100-200 metres |
| Long | over 200 metres |
| Height | Description |
| Low | 0-2 metres |
| Moderate | 2-4 metres |
| Heavy | over 4 metres |
Wave size/boat size
It is vital to know the performance capabilities and limitations of a boat before buying. Take great care to select a boat which will be able to handle the types of conditions you expect to come across.
Cautionary note
The tables below are indicative only and do not reflect the performance of any particular design or model of craft. It should also be remembered that a combination of factors such as currents, tidal streams and geographical features can create dangerously unpredictable conditions. An example of this is when a fast running tide or current is flowing over a rock shelf or sand bar against a contrary wind.
| Boat length | Wave height | Boating conditions |
| 3.5 metres | 1.0 metres | heavy going, limit of safety for this sized vessel |
| 3.5 metres | 0.8 metres | speed reduced, water comes aboard, care required |
| 3.5 metres | 0.5 metres | speed reduced, some pounding at speed |
| 3.5 metres | 0.2 metres | gentle patter of water on hull, no spray, comfortable |
| 4.3 metres | 1.5 metres | for the experienced only, lots of heavy water thrown aboard |
| 4.3 metres | 1.2 metres | throttle backed right off, lots of spray, getting scary |
| 4.3 metres | 1.0 metres | speed reduced further, green seas taken on the decks |
| 4.3 metres | 0.8 metres | speed reduced, some pounding, spray taken aboard |
| 4.3 metres | 0.5 metres | maximum cruising throttle, slight bumps, spray thrown clear |
| 4.3 metres | 0.2 metres | no spray, comfortable ride, gentle patter of water on hull |
| 5 metres | 1.8 metres | limit of safe operation family comfort in this sized vessel |
| 5 metres | 1.5 metres | steering through seas individually and using throttle at times |
| 5 metres | 1.2 metres | dead slow, waves break on deck, lots of spray |
| 5 metres | 1.0 metres | half speed, spray and green seas come aboard |
| 5 metres | 0.8 metres | slight speed reduction desirable, moderate pounding, some spray |
| 5 metres | 0.5 metres | set cruising throttle, slight bumps, spray thrown clear |
| 5 metres | 0.2 metres | no spray, armchair ride |
| 6 metres | 2.0 metres | dead slow, occasional big seas break aboard, for the experienced skipper only |
| 6 metres | 1.8 metres | dead slow, steering individually for the seas |
| 6 metres | 1.5 metres | windscreen sprayed, green seas on foredeck |
| 6 metres | 1.2 metres | half speed, lots of spray, water on foredeck |
| 6 metres | 1.0 metres | slight speed reduction, spray coming aboard aft end of boat |
| 6 metres | 0.8 metres | reduced speed, pounding increases |
| 6 metres | 0.5 metres | maximum cruising throttle, some light pounding |
| 6 metres | 0.2 metres | great ride, like an automobile on bitumen |
| SUITABLE FOR MOST MARINE ACTIVITIES | CAUTION SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY | HAZARDOUS USE EXTREME CAUTION |
| Light and variable winds with smooth seas. Small short period wind waves. Seas: E 1.4 to 1.8 meters at 9 seconds. Winds: SSW 4 to 6 knots. |
Light and variable winds with smooth seas. Moderate long period swell. Seas: ENE 2.7 to 3.6 meters at 10 seconds. Winds: W 4 to 6 knots. |
Gale warning with dangerous seas. Small craft advisory. Use extreme caution. Large short period wind waves. Seas: E 4.4 to 5.8 meters at 9 seconds. Winds: ESE 33 to 45 knots. |
| Light and variable winds with smooth seas. Small short period wind waves. Seas: E 1.3 to 1.7 meters at 9 seconds. Winds: ENE 3 to 4 knots. |
Light and variable winds with smooth seas. Moderate short period wind waves. Seas: ENE 2.4 to 3.2 meters at 10 seconds. Winds: WNW 3 to 5 knots. |
Very windy with large choppy seas. Small craft advisory. Large short period wind waves. Seas: ENE 3.7 to 4.9 meters at 9 seconds. Winds: ESE 22 to 29 knots. |
| Light and variable winds with smooth seas. Small short period wind waves. Seas: E 1.3 to 1.7 meters at 9 seconds. Winds: SW 3 to 4 knots. |
Light winds with a slight chop. Moderate long period swell. Seas: ENE 2.7 to 3.5 meters at 10 seconds. Winds: S 10 to 13 knots. |
Very windy with large choppy seas. Small craft advisory. Moderate short period wind waves. Seas: ENE 3 to 3.8 meters at 8 seconds. Winds: ESE 23 to 31 knots. |
| Light winds with a slight chop. Small short period wind waves. Seas: E 1.3 to 1.7 meters at 9 seconds. Winds: NE 7 to 9 knots. |
Light and variable winds with smooth seas. Moderate long period swell. Seas: E 2.4 to 3.1 meters at 10 seconds. Winds: NE 2 to 2 knots. |
Very windy with large choppy seas. Small craft advisory. Large short period wind waves. Seas: ENE 3.3 to 4.3 meters at 9 seconds. Winds: ESE 22 to 30 knots. |
| Light winds with a slight chop. Small short period wind waves. Seas: E 1.4 to 1.8 meters at 9 seconds. Winds: SSW 6 to 9 knots. |
Light winds with a slight chop. Moderate long period swell. Seas: ENE 2.7 to 3.5 meters at 10 seconds. Winds: SE 7 to 9 knots. |
Gale warning with dangerous seas. Small craft advisory. Use extreme caution. Large short period wind waves. Seas: E 3.7 to 4.8 meters at 9 seconds. Winds: ESE 28 to 37 knots. |
| Breezy whitecapping conditions with moderate choppy seas. Small short period wind waves. Seas: E 1.5 to 1.9 meters at 10 seconds. Winds: S 12 to 17 knots. |
Windy conditions with choppy seas. Small craft advisory. Small short period wind waves. Seas: E 1.7 to 2.2 meters at 10 seconds. Winds: SSE 16 to 22 knots. |
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| Breezy whitecapping conditions with moderate choppy seas. Small short period wind waves. Seas: E 1.4 to 1.9 meters at 10 seconds. Winds: SSE 13 to 18 knots. |
Windy conditions with choppy seas. Small craft advisory. Small short period wind waves. Seas: E 1.8 to 2.3 meters at 10 seconds. Winds: SSE 16 to 22 knots. |
