By Weather Malta · Published 28 July 2026 · Updated
Start with the forecast time and location
A wave forecast represents a model point and time. Read those alongside the number. Regional offshore conditions may differ from a bay, harbour entrance or landing.
What significant wave height describes
Significant wave height is approximately the average height of the highest third of waves. Individual waves vary and some can be higher. A forecast figure is not a maximum for every wave reaching the shore.
Wind waves and swell
Wind waves grow under the influence of the wind; swell has travelled away from its generating area. Swell can persist when local wind weakens. Read wave information alongside the wind rather than deriving a fixed wave height from wind speed.
Direction and period
Keep the provider’s direction convention attached to the field. On Weather.mt, arrows show travel direction. Wave period describes time between waves, but different period fields describe different parts of the wave spectrum. A missing period or swell field does not mean there is no swell.
Follow the hours through the day
- Inspect the outward journey, time on the water and return.
- Look for changes in direction as well as changes in height.
- Check the latest forecast again before leaving.
- Use operator information and local conditions for the actual route or shore.
Put the guide in context: local weather questions answered · explore the weather archive.