Salcombe Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin' for the next couple of weeks.

To be straight with you, the surf is pretty grim for the foreseeable future. We’ve got a solid 16-day window, but the ocean is flat and lifeless for the first week. The small bumps that show up are barely a ripple, not worth wettin' a wetsuit for. For a spot like Salcombe, it's a bit of a dry spell, but it happens.

The real kickoff doesn't come until Sunday the 26th of July. We finally see a pulse of energy roll in. The swell is coming from the West, about 3 ft, with a short period of 7 seconds. The combined energy is weak at 85, but the wind is offshore from the WNW at 16 mph, which will clean it right up. That afternoon, it bumps up a bit: 4 ft, still 7 seconds, and the energy climbs to 146 (moderate). The wind stays offshore from the WNW at 19 mph, making for fresh, clean faces. This is a short-period, wind-driven swell, so it’ll be a bit dumpy and quick, but for a beach break, it’s the best we’ve seen all week. Keep your expectations low – it’s not a groundswell, but it’s rideable.

Monday the 27th of July morning holds some decent leftovers: 4 ft at 8 seconds from the West, with a moderate energy of 210, and clean cross-offshore winds at 12 mph. The afternoon goes flat. After that, we’re back to small, weak stuff until the 1st of August.

Saturday the 1st of August is the standout. The morning is tiny, but the afternoon brings a proper West swell, 3 ft, but with a long period of 11 seconds. That long period means real energy – 144 (moderate) – and the waves will have shape and push. The wind is cross-off from the West at 19 mph, keeping things clean. This is the best-quality wave in the whole forecast. Sunday the 2nd of August morning has a similar 3 ft at 9 seconds, and the afternoon sees a bigger 5 ft swell from the WSW at 8 seconds, with a strong energy reading of 321. That’s a chunky, powerful wave – definitely for experienced surfers only, as it'll be over 5 ft.

The crowds at Salcombe are always an issue, so expect company. The water temp on the 21st of July was 66°, a full 5° warmer than normal, so it’s muggier than usual for this time of year.

Overall, don't get excited about the first week. The best bet is the afternoon of Saturday the 1st of August – that long-period West swell with clean wind is the one to circle on the calendar. The Sunday the 2nd of August afternoon is big, so only for the experienced crew.

Rusty.

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