Salcombe Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, I’ve had a good look at what’s on the cards for Salcombe over the next couple of weeks, and I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough outlook. There’s surf in the forecast, sure, but the quality just isn’t there for a proper paddle session. We’ve got a long stretch of poor conditions, so don’t get your hopes up for anything classic.

The pattern starts off flat and messy. Sunday the 2nd, we’ve got a tiny 2 ft swell from the west, but it’s coming in with a cross-shore breeze and the water’s sitting at 66°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Not much to work with. The energy is weak (38), and it’s just not gonna shape up.

Monday the 3rd morning sees a bit more push – 2 ft from the WSW, but still cross-onshore and choppy. The energy ticks up to moderate (124) by the afternoon, and it goes clean with a cross-offshore breeze, but the swell’s still tiny. Tuesday the 4th brings a bigger 4 ft swell, but it’s attached to a strong cross-shore wind and lumpy conditions. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle zone. The energy is moderate (193), but the period is short at 7-8 seconds, so the waves will be weak and crumbly.

Wednesday the 5th is the biggest swell of the whole run – 8 ft from the WSW, with a fresh cross-offshore wind keeping it clean. The energy jumps to strong (623). For a experienced surfer, that could be a window, but it’s still classed as poor surf quality. The period is only 8 seconds, so it’s a short-period wind swell, not a proper groundswell. It’s gonna be bumpy and hard to manage, and at that size, it’s really only for the experts.

After Wednesday, it drops off fast. Thursday the 6th morning turns offshore from the WNW with 4 ft, clean, but the period drops to 7 seconds and the energy is only moderate (113). By Friday the 7th, we’re back down to 1 ft – not worth getting wet for.

The rest of the first week and into the second week is a long, flat run. From Saturday the 8th all the way through to Monday the 17th, it’s mostly tiny, weak, or no swell at all. The energy values are in the double digits or single digits, with most days showing 0-2 ft from the west or southwest, often with onshore or cross-shore winds. There’s a little spike on Saturday the 15th afternoon – 4 ft from the west, period of 6 seconds, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy, and the energy is only moderate (131). Not a standout.

The long-range stuff is, honestly, a write-off. There’s no decent swell with good wind in sight. The break is sheltered, and the optimum direction is south, but we’re getting mostly west-southwest swell, which doesn’t light it up. The biggest issue is the wind – too often it’s cross or onshore, wrecking the shape.

If you’re desperate, Wednesday the 5th morning is the only window that could hold a wave for someone experienced, but don’t expect a classic. For most of us, it’s a rest week. The forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a full 16-day blank run. Sorry, mate.

- Rusty

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