
Surf Forecasts:
Salcombe surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 13s period, W swell with 839 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s 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 1.6m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 17) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Salcombe over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s talk about what’s on offer around Salcombe. The setup is sheltered here, and the optimum swell direction is straight out of the south, which is important to keep in mind because a lot of what’s coming through the next couple weeks doesn’t quite line up with that.
The water’s sitting at about 63°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so don’t expect the usual autumn chill just yet.
We’ve got a bit of a quiet start. The first proper nod comes on Wednesday the 16th. The early morning sees a 6ft swell from the west with a moderate offshore breeze from the northwest – that’ll be clean enough to make you think about it. The wind holds through the afternoon but goes cross-off, and the swell stays around 5ft with a longer 11-second period. Don’t get too excited yet; it’s still just a solid "maybe" rather than a standout. Thursday the 17th has a bigger push of 6ft from the west-southwest but the period drops right down to 6 seconds, and it’s cross-off and choppy – not worth getting wet for.
Now, Friday the 18th is where things get interesting. A 5ft swell from the west with a very long 13-second period rolls in, and the combined energy is sitting strong at 839. That kind of period means better shaped waves and proper groundswell feel, but Salcombe’s a sheltered setup so those long lines might wrap in nicely. It’s cross-off in the morning with a moderate breeze, so the surface should stay tidy. This is the first real standout of the run.
After that, things go pretty quiet for a solid week. From Saturday the 19th right through to Saturday the 26th, it’s mostly small, weak, or just messy with onshore or cross-on winds. Sunday the 21st does have a moment of dead glass in the morning with a tiny 2ft swell – flat and pretty, but not surfable.
The real event is waiting at the end. Monday the 28th of September – that’s over a week and a half away, so keep it in the back of your mind. The morning shows a 10ft swell from the west, but it’s cross-on and sloppy. The afternoon though? 13ft from the west-southwest, cross-off wind, and a combined energy reading of 3352. That is serious power. That size is expert-only territory, and with a 10-second period it’ll be a heavy, moving wall. The following day, Tuesday the 29th, cleans right up: 8ft in the morning with a nearly calm north-northwest breeze, cross-off, and still holding good energy at 999. That’s the pick of the whole window, no question – powerful, clean, and still manageable for a strong intermediate if you’ve got your wits about you.
So to sum it: this Wednesday morning is worth a look if you’re keen and local, Friday the 18th is your first proper standout with that long-period west swell, and the real heavy-hitter is that Monday-Tuesday combo right at the end of September. Just remember, long-range forecasts can shift, so keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Fri morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sun night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 11 | W 10 | WSW 6 | W 8 | W 10 | W 13 | W 13 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 12 | W 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
185 | 252 | 297 | 555 | 564 | 426 | 293 | 337 | 533 | 839 | 736 | 254 | 191 | 541 | 426 | 284 | 198 | 161 | 92 | 132 | 104 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 9:40PM3.82m | 9:54AM3.70m | 10:09PM3.55m | 10:23AM3.45m | 10:40PM3.25m | 10:57AM3.18m | 11:20PM2.95m | 11:45AM2.91m | 00:18AM2.68m | 12:57PM2.70m | 1:46AM2.52m | 2:36PM2.67m | 3:38AM2.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:10PM0.17m | 3:26AM0.29m | 3:42PM0.43m | 3:56AM0.60m | 4:13PM0.74m | 4:27AM0.93m | 4:47PM1.09m | 5:01AM1.27m | 5:30PM1.43m | 5:50AM1.59m | 6:59PM1.72m | 8:14AM1.77m | 9:45PM1.62m | ||||||||
6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 7:30 | — | — | 7:27 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:21 | — | — | 7:19 | — | — | 7:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | W 10 | W 8 | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 11 | — | S 14 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 12 | W 10 |
37 | 51 | 297 | 555 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 72 | 60 | — | 4 | 284 | 198 | 161 | 92 | 132 | 104 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | — | — | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | W 12 | S 13 | S 13 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 4 | 4 | 3 | 47 | 3 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 13 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | W 11 | W 10 | WSW 6 | W 8 | W 10 | W 13 | W 13 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 2 |
185 | 252 | — | — | 564 | 426 | 293 | 337 | 533 | 839 | 736 | 254 | 191 | 541 | 426 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 217 | 271 | 1 | 0 | 169 | 446 | 498 | 217 | 151 | 223 | 169 | 223 | 223 | 169 | 174 | 1 | 85 | 10 | 83 | 117 | 83 |
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.










