Salcombe Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a proper look at what the Devon coast has got cooking. It's a tough watch for the most part, so let's be straight up about it.

Right out of the gate, we've got a long, flat spell. From now through to the 21st of August, the swell is tiny and the wind is a mess. We're looking at days of cross-onshore and cross-shore winds, mostly from the east, that are just chopping everything up. The wave energy is pitiful, barely scratching triple digits on the 12th and 13th with readings of 130 and 121, but the conditions are so poor it's not worth even thinking about those. You'd be better off finding a pub garden.

The only half-interesting moment in this first week comes on the morning of Thursday the 13th of August. There's a clean little 3ft W groundswell with gentle offshore wind from the WNW, and it's glassy clean. The energy is moderate (251), and with that offshore flow, Salcombe could offer a few tidy little waves. But it's inconsistent here and always packed, so you'd be fighting for scraps.

The pattern continues with nothing of any real note until the end of the third week. There’s a hint of something on the 21st of August as the swell bumps up, with an afternoon of 6ft at 7 seconds from the west, but the moderate cross-onshore wind from the east will keep it choppy and poor. No good.

Finally, by Saturday the 22nd of August, we get a window. The morning shows a 6ft W swell with a 9-second period and a clean cross-offshore breeze from the WNW. The wave energy is strong at 449, and it’s the first setup that actually looks surfable. The water temp here feels about normal for the time of year. Just be warned: this spot is inconsistent and when it does work, the crowds are a sure thing. After that, the wind picks up again in the afternoon, blowing hard from the WSW, so the window is narrow.

Forget the beginners if this swell pushes over 5ft on the 22nd; that's getting into the zone for more experienced folk only. The rest of the run into the end of the month just fizzles out into weak, cross-shore dribble.

Honestly, it's a grim run. If you absolutely have to get wet, aim for that Thursday the 13th morning for clean but small waves, or hold out for the more powerful but crowded Saturday the 22nd. For the rest of the time, this coastline looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.

Rusty.

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