What is the difference between waves and swell? In short See Swell, Waves & Seas. Covered in the fuller glossary article. → What's the difference between Swell, Waves & Seas? More Weather Help What is the Beaufort Scale? What's the difference between Swell, Waves & Seas? How to read the Wind graphs How does the weather work? How do "Favourites" (Custom weather layout work)? The Beaufort Scale Why are the forecasts so wrong? Why do your arrows point the wrong way?