
Surf Forecasts:
Salcombe surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, W swell with 1,124 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period with WSW 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Salcombe in the next 16 days are 2.1m 11s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 10) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Salcombe over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Salcombe over the next couple of weeks.
To be honest, it’s a tough stretch. The forecast is a bit of a mixed bag and there are no real standouts that’ll have you racing for your board. The overall pattern looks like a lot of wind-affected, weak swell and poor conditions. We’ve got a couple of mornings that might be worth a look, but nothing that’s going to blow your mind. The first proper surfable day doesn’t show up until Friday, September 5th, so there’s a bit of a wait from now.
Let’s talk about the water first. It’s registering at 65°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might get away with a thinner wettie.
The first real chance comes on Saturday, September 5th in the morning. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell from the west, with a period of 11 seconds. That’s a groundswell, and it’ll be packing a bit of punch, coming in with a combined energy of 351 (moderate). The real winner here is the wind – it’s light and offshore out of the WNW at just 3 mph. That’ll have the wave faces looking pretty clean. The downside is that Salcombe is an inconsistent break, and it’s also sheltered, so the swell really needs to wrap in. This is maybe the best of a pretty average bunch, but don’t expect perfection.
Then, on Monday, September 7th, there’s a pulse of energy. The morning sees a solid 5ft west swell, also with a long period of 11 seconds. The combined energy is strong at 1066 (very strong), so there’s plenty of water moving. The wind is a cross-off at 16 mph, so it’s clean enough. But it’s a “marginal” call, likely due to tide. If you know Salcombe and the tide windows, this could be your session. The afternoon is similar, but the energy drops a bit to 779 (moderate).
Tuesday, September 8th is the other morning to look at. The swell is 6ft from the west with a shorter period of 9 seconds, so a bit more of a windswell feel. The energy is strong at 544 (moderate). The wind is 19 mph offshore from the NW, which will be ripping, meaning clean, hollow waves. For experienced surfers, this could be a fun, punchy session. It’s still a bit on the bigger side for beginners though.
After that, the surf drops off and the quality goes downhill. The wind swings onshore or cross-shore for most of the following days, and the swell gets small and weak. There are a few days with glassy conditions around the 15th of September, but with only 3ft of weak, short-period swell, it’ll be small and slow. The energy is only 168 (weak), so you’ll be fighting for scraps.
In short, keep your eyes on the 5th, 7th, and 8th of September for the cleanest windows. The rest of the 16 days looks like a write-off, with a lot of flat or poor conditions. It’s a bit of a frustrating run for the area.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu night, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Thu night, calm by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun night, min 14°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Sun night, fresh winds from the WSW by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 11 | W 12 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 13 | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
469 | 375 | 383 | 369 | 327 | 135 | 62 | 40 | 69 | 711 | 988 | 1124 | 687 | 544 | 461 | 258 | 165 | 0 | 427 | 506 | 372 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 11:30AM3.37m | 11:58PM3.20m | 12:34PM3.12m | 1:18AM2.93m | 2:07PM2.98m | 3:10AM2.85m | 3:58PM3.10m | 4:53AM3.07m | 5:20PM3.43m | 5:58AM3.41m | 6:15PM3.79m | 6:45AM3.72m | 6:58PM4.08m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:00AM0.60m | 5:27PM0.80m | 5:56AM0.98m | 6:38PM1.14m | 7:21AM1.29m | 8:28PM1.28m | 9:12AM1.28m | 10:06PM1.04m | 10:31AM1.00m | 11:09PM0.66m | 11:26AM0.65m | 11:57PM0.30m | 12:11PM0.32m | 00:38AM0.01m | |||||||
6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 11 | W 12 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | E 4 | WSW 13 | W 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | S 6 | — | — |
8 | 8 | 7 | 369 | 327 | 135 | 62 | 40 | 3 | 711 | 988 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 | 38 | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 17 | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 6 | — | — |
— | — | — | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 28 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | — | SSE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | W 8 | W 9 | — | — | — | SE 4 | SE 4 | W 8 | W 5 | — | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | W 9 |
469 | 375 | 383 | — | — | — | 12 | 10 | 69 | 36 | — | 1124 | 687 | 544 | 461 | 258 | 165 | 138 | 427 | 506 | 372 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 169 | 0 | 0 | 88 | 83 | 104 | 117 | 95 | 151 | 50 | 174 | 217 | 217 | 0 | 484 | 169 | 446 | 50 | 217 | 0 |
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.










