Surf Forecasts:
Salcombe surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, WSW swell with 1,469 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Salcombe this week:
The surf forecast for Salcombe over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.9m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Salcombe in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Salcombe over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let's have a look at what's on the cards for Salcombe. It's a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. The next week or so is looking pretty grim for getting a decent wave, with a lot of strong, messy winds and lumpy conditions making it a write-off for most of us. There are a couple of windows that pop up further out, so don't lose hope entirely.
Salcombe is a sheltered spot, so it needs a decent push of energy to get going, and the crowd situation is always a factor here. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.
We kick off Sunday the 30th of August, but it's a no-go. Strong cross-shore wind and a lumpy 6ft to 7ft swell with barely any energy to speak of (388 to 476). It's just a mess.
Monday the 31st of August sees a bit more size, 8ft in the morning, but the wind is still cross-offshore and strong. The combined energy gets a bit more interesting (1129), but the surf is still considered marginal at best. The afternoon drops off a bit.
The first few days of September are a real write-off. Tuesday the 1st has small, weak swell (3ft, 165 energy) and the wind is all wrong. Wednesday the 2nd is a joke with a 0.3ft, 15-second period swell - that's just a whisper - and strong cross-winds. Thursday and Friday the 3rd and 4th have some size (7ft to 7ft) and strong winds, but the quality is just poor.
Now, here's a little glimmer. Saturday the 5th of September, the morning is looking promising. A clean 4ft swell from the west (424 energy) with a gentle offshore breeze from the northwest. That's the kind of wind we want to see. It's a small window, but it could be clean. The period is 11 seconds, which is a nice groundswell, so it should have a bit of shape to it.
Then there's a big gap. From Sunday the 6th right through to Wednesday the 10th of September, it's all small, weak, or windy. The 8th of September actually has a big 12ft swell (3036 to 4055 energy), but it's a messy onshore wind and the surf is poor. That's more of a kite-surfing day than a paddle-surfing day.
The real standout, if you can wait, is Friday the 11th of September. The morning has a solid 7ft groundswell from the west (861 energy) with a clean offshore wind from the northwest. The afternoon is also good, with a 6ft swell and a moderate offshore wind. This is the best on offer for the whole outlook. The swell is a bit big for beginners, but for the rest of us, it's looking like the pick of the bunch.
So, there you have it. A lot of waiting, but a couple of decent sessions on the 5th and especially the 11th of September. Keep your eyes on that forecast.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sun night, light winds from the W by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 13°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Fri afternoon, light winds from the NW by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WSW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
388 | 490 | 1284 | 1106 | 885 | 423 | 165 | 132 | 33 | 11 | 195 | 414 | 314 | 266 | 155 | 1207 | 1280 | 986 | 394 | 259 | 123 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 8:43PM4.19m | 9:04AM3.99m | 9:14PM4.15m | 9:34AM3.94m | 9:46PM4.02m | 10:07AM3.82m | 10:21PM3.80m | 10:44AM3.62m | 11:03PM3.52m | 11:30AM3.37m | 11:58PM3.20m | 12:34PM3.12m | 1:18AM2.93m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:07PM-0.01m | 2:28AM-0.16m | 2:40PM-0.05m | 3:01AM-0.14m | 3:16PM0.01m | 3:37AM0.00m | 3:54PM0.17m | 4:16AM0.25m | 4:36PM0.45m | 5:00AM0.60m | 5:27PM0.80m | 5:56AM0.98m | 6:38PM1.14m | ||||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 8:04 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | |
mm | — | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | S 17 | W 8 | W 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 11 | SW 13 | W 10 |
— | — | — | — | — | 423 | 165 | 6 | 33 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 155 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 394 | 7 | 123 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | — | — | — | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 10 | 10 | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | W 10 | — | — | WSW 9 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 6 | W 12 | W 11 | W 12 | — | W 10 | — |
388 | 490 | 1284 | 1106 | 885 | — | — | 132 | 25 | 48 | 195 | 414 | 314 | 266 | 154 | 1207 | 1280 | 986 | — | 259 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 50 | 290 | 558 | 179 | 73 | 137 | 0 | 1 | 157 | 169 | 269 | 157 | 223 | 50 | 50 | 747 | 498 | 217 | 216 | 0 | 85 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Devon | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Salcombe Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Salcombe provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Salcombe can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Salcombe surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Salcombe) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Salcombe may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Salcombe is 21 km (13 miles) from the city of Dartmouth. If you plan a holiday in South Devon, look for hotels and other accommodation in Dartmouth. Dartmouth has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











