Buoy Alarm actively monitors ocean buoys and broadcasts their reports. We provide relevant, real-time data that enables enthusiasts to monitor conditions and act with confidence.
Buoys that are being monitored are displayed on the Buoy Map. Click on a buoy marker to view its latest report. A detailed chart and 12-hour summary is also provided for each buoy (for example, Buoy 51001).
Each buoy summary provides a visual chart of the primary swell's height and period. This allows you to spot trends in wave energy and visually distinguish swell events. Each report is color coded to reflect its intensity, from tan to orange (tiny to extra-large).
We are currently working on additional functionality for registered users. If you would like to be notified when these features become available, please register your email with us.
Buoy Alarm tracks each buoy's detailed wave summary and displays the height, period, and direction of the primary swell. Swell Height is the vertical distance between any swell crest and the succeeding swell wave trough. Swell Period is the time that it takes successive swell wave crests or troughs to pass a fixed point. Swell Direction is the compass direction from which the swell wave are coming from.
Essentially, the combination of swell height and period determine the energy in a swell. The higher either number, the more energy a swell possesses.
Buoy data is sourced from the National Data Buoy Center.