Salcombe Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Salcombe is cooking up for the next couple of weeks. I’ll level with you – it’s a slow start and there are some flat spells you’ll need to ride out. But there are a couple of windows that could give you a proper session if you’re patient.

The big picture is grim at first. The first few days are a total loss. Weak, messy lines, cross-shore winds, and poor surf quality. The combined wave energy is low, barely getting to 175 early Monday and struggling to hit 200 in most sessions. The wind is just not cooperating, so leave the log at home.

We get a lift on Wednesday, September 16th. The morning shows a 6ft swell out of the west, with a 10-second period and a gentle offshore wind from the NW. The combined energy hits 567, which is moderate but feels punchy. The afternoon holds up too, with a 5ft west swell, 11-second period, and a moderate offshore breeze. This is the first real standout. Clean conditions, solid shape. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing weird going on.

Thursday, September 17th is a step back. The swell is still near 6ft in the morning, but the period drops to a short 6 seconds, making for weak, disorganised waves. The wind is a fresh offshore, so it’s clean, but the quality isn’t there.

Friday, September 18th is a curious one. A 6ft west swell with a very long 13-second period – that’s groundswell. The combined energy reads 946, which is significant, nearly strong. The catch is that long period can make waves break too straight and fat at a sheltered spot like Salcombe, especially on a beach setup. The wind is cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but the wave comment flags it as marginal due to tide. If you know the bank and the tide, this could be the session of the run, but it’s a gamble.

Then we hit another long quiet spell. From Saturday, September 20th, right through the end of the month, it’s poor surf conditions. Wave heights drop below 4ft, energy levels fall off, and the wind direction keeps flipping. There are a couple of glassy moments on Tuesday, September 22nd, with a light 3ft to 3ft west swell and glassy wind, but the energy is way too low – between 149 and 191. You’d be floating more than surfing.

Then, right at the tail end of the 16-day window, on Sunday, September 27th, we see a spike. The swell pumps up to 8ft to 10ft out of the WSW, with a 10 to 11-second period. The combined energy is massive – 1329 to 1978, that’s strong to very strong. The wind is onshore, unfortunately, and the wave comment says marginal. This is big, raw, and messy. This is for the experienced crew only, and even then, you’ve got to pick your spot. On Monday, September 28th, the swell drops to 7ft to 7ft, but by afternoon the wind shifts to a light offshore from the WNW, and the conditions clean up. That afternoon on the 28th is one of the few actual good calls in the second week.

So, to sum it up: the best of the best is Wednesday, September 16th. Clean, manageable 5ft to 6ft west swell with a reliable period and gentle to moderate offshore winds. That’s your window. The second standout is Friday, September 18th, but only if you’re dialled into the tide and bank. The big stuff on the 27th is raw power, but you’ll be battling onshore wind.

Keep an eye on the forecast; it tends not to stay this quiet for long around here, so things could change.

Rusty.

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