Swell-Forecast.com - European SURF forecasting

Webcams

Most webcams are digital cameras that take a snapshot every certain length of time. They allow you to see what the conditions really were like just a short while ago. The frequency with which the camera takes pictures varies a lot, from one every couple of hours, to virtually continuous, like a video camera.

Some also give you an archive of images, so you can see how the conditions have been changing over the last six hours or so – very useful if a swell is just arriving. Many webcams are owned by local establishments such as bars and hotels, whose main interest is the general conditions for beach-goers and tourists. Some, however, are set up specially for surfing and these obviously give the best view of the waves.