Wave power, also called wave energy flux, describes how much wave energy passes through each metre of wave crest. SurfData displays this as Wave Energy in kilowatts per metre (kW/m).
What controls wave power?
- Wave height has the strongest effect: in the simplified relationship used by the forecast, wave power scales with the square of significant wave height (Hs).
- Wave period also matters. At the same height, a longer-period swell carries more power than shorter-period wind chop.
- A small, short-period wind swell can have low power, while a long-period groundswell can carry considerably more energy.
How to use it
- Higher wave power usually indicates a more powerful swell, but it does not by itself mean better surf conditions.
- Read it alongside Hs, wave period, swell direction, wind, tide, and the spot rating to understand how that energy will translate at the beach.
- Wave power is a summary of the incoming energy. The polar plot provides a more detailed view of how energy is distributed across directions and periods.