Wave Maps

Wave maps are marine forecast charts that show expected wave conditions across a sea area, usually including wave height, wave direction, and wave period. For sailors and power boaters, they translate model data into a visual picture of where seas will be calm, moderate, steep, or hazardous.

Boaters use wave maps to choose safer routes, avoid uncomfortable beam or head seas, time bar crossings, and assess whether a passage is suitable for the vessel and crew. They are especially useful when read alongside Wave Height, Wave Period, and overall Sea State, since a low swell can still be dangerous if it is short and steep.

In PredictWind, wave maps can be viewed with wind and weather layers to compare models and plan departures with more confidence. Offshore users can download compact GRIB wave data at sea, helping them adjust routing decisions as conditions change.