SEE IT ON A REAL SPOT
Get the call for your level
A 3-day forecast is free on every 4Shor location page: per sport, per ability.
MAGICSEAWEED ALTERNATIVES
Magicseaweed has gone.What to use instead.
A fair look at the apps that filled the gap, what each does best, and which one matches the way you used MSW.
Magicseaweed closed in 2023: Surfline, which had owned it since 2017, folded it into Surfline, and magicseaweed.com now redirects there. Surfline is the direct successor, with live cams and its own nearshore model, but most of it sits behind Premium. Surf-Forecast is the closest free replacement: detailed tables for 7,000+ breaks. For wind, Windy and Windguru fill the gap. In Europe, 4Shor scores each spot 0–100 per sport and ability, so it tells you whether the swell suits you.
Magicseaweed alternatives compared
| App | Best for | Free tier | Coverage | Per-ability call |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfline | Surfers who want live cams | Limited free; paid Premium | Global | No |
| Surf-Forecast | Surfers wanting spot tables | Free, ad-supported | Global | No |
| Windy | Reading the weather models | Generous free; paid Premium | Global | No |
| Windguru | Wind sports — quick tables | Generous free; paid Pro | Global spots | No |
| 4Shor | A per-ability call across 10 sports | 3-day forecast free on web and in the app | Europe — 2,500+ spots | Yes — 0–100, Beginner → Expert |
Features and pricing change, so check each app for its current offering. This comparison reflects our reading as of October 2026.
Which one replaces the way you used Magicseaweed?
- Surfline. The direct successor: Magicseaweed users were moved here. Best for live cams.
- Surf-Forecast. The closest to old free Magicseaweed: per-break tables and swell components, no subscription.
- Windy. For the bigger picture: animated swell and wind maps and switchable forecast models.
- Windguru. For wind sports: the fastest spot wind table, with its own station network.
Torn between the two surf options? See Surfline vs Surf-Forecast. For wind, see Windy vs Windguru.
WHERE 4SHOR FITS
The call Magicseaweed never made
Magicseaweed’s star rating told you how good the surf was, not whether it suited you. 4Shor models how each swell breaks on the seabed at 2,500+ European spots and scores surfing 0–100 for Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert, so a clean beginner day and a heavy expert day read differently. It scores nine other water sports on the same scale, from kitesurfing to paddleboarding.
Many Magicseaweed regulars surfed the UK and Ireland: start with surf spots in the UK, or compare the best surf forecast apps and the full app comparison.
FAQ
Magicseaweed alternatives: common questions
What happened to Magicseaweed?
Surfline bought Magicseaweed in 2017 and closed it in 2023. The website and app stopped working and magicseaweed.com now redirects to Surfline, where Magicseaweed users were asked to move.
What is the best free alternative to Magicseaweed?
Surf-Forecast is the closest free replacement: ad-supported tables for 7,000+ breaks worldwide, with swell broken down by component. Windy and Windguru are free for wind and swell maps. 4Shor shows a 3-day forecast with per-ability scores free on every European spot page, and the same 3 days free in the app.
Did Surfline replace Magicseaweed?
Yes. Surfline owned Magicseaweed and merged it into Surfline in 2023. Surfline has the largest surf-cam network and its own LOTUS nearshore model; full forecasts and cams need a Premium subscription. Check Surfline for current pricing.
What is the best Magicseaweed alternative in the UK and Europe?
For free tables, Surf-Forecast covers most UK and European breaks. 4Shor is built for Europe: 2,500+ spots, each scored 0–100 for surfing and nine other water sports at Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert, from nearshore wave modelling on its own seabed map.
Is there still a Magicseaweed app?
No. The Magicseaweed app was retired with the website in 2023. Surfline’s app is its official replacement.