Surfline vs Swellmap:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Swellmap had more branded searches than Surfline among surf forecast sites in New Zealand. Swellmap had about 18,800 branded searches, while Surfline had 6,030. Swellmap made up 67.9% of all surf forecast site searches we track, and Surfline accounted for 21.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about surf forecast sites, Swellmap appeared in all five answers and Surfline in three. Swellmap was mentioned before Surfline in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Swellmap, about 3 searches for every 1 for Surfline
Who does AI mention more?
Swellmap, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Swellmap, named ahead of Surfline in 2 of 3 answers
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Top surf forecast sites in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Swellmap appeared in all five answers. Surfline was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Swellmap was listed before Surfline in two out of three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Swellmap1st
Surfline2nd
Windy3rd
Surf-Forecast.com4th- Surf2Surf5th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Swellmap5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Surfline3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Windy3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Surf2Surf2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Surf-Forecast.com2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about surf forecast sites
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which surf forecast site should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best surf forecast sites in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best surf forecast site in New Zealand for wave conditions?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“surf forecast nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“surf report nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Surfline or Swellmap more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Surfline and Swellmap by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five surf forecast sites we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Swellmap, Surfline. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Swellmap | Surfline | Windy | Surf2Surf | Surf-Forecast.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 66.6% | 18.8% | 12.8% | 0.93% | 0.96% |
| Nov 2025 | 65.4% | 27.1% | 5.6% | 1.1% | 0.77% |
| Dec 2025 | 66.9% | 22.8% | 8.6% | 0.94% | 0.78% |
| Jan 2026 | 64.9% | 23% | 10.2% | 1.1% | 0.92% |
| Feb 2026 | 63.2% | 26.8% | 8% | 1.1% | 0.89% |
| Mar 2026 | 62.5% | 27.9% | 8% | 0.87% | 0.73% |
| Apr 2026 | 45.1% | 24.2% | 29% | 0.94% | 0.8% |
| May 2026 | 57.6% | 32.8% | 5.8% | 0.98% | 2.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 64.2% | 25.9% | 8.3% | 0.9% | 0.79% |
| Jul 2026 | 63.7% | 24.7% | 9.9% | 1.1% | 0.62% |
| Aug 2026 | 64.7% | 21.3% | 12.2% | 1.1% | 0.76% |
| Sep 2026 | 67.9% | 21.7% | 8.7% | 0.94% | 0.76% |
How has the Surfline and Swellmap comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Swellmap was ahead of Surfline in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Surfline’s share of searches among surf forecast sites in New Zealand moved from 18.8% to 21.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.5K to 6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Swellmap’s share of searches among surf forecast sites in New Zealand moved from 66.6% to 67.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 22.9K to 18.8K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand surf forecast sites in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Swellmap gained share of searches among surf forecast sites in New Zealand, from 64.7% to 67.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
10 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Surfline’s and Swellmap’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among surf forecast sites
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