Surf Forecasts:
Salcombe surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 19 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, ENE swell with 135 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Salcombe this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Salcombe in the next 16 days are 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Salcombe over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. The whole 16-day window looks like a tough stretch for Salcombe. There’s no real run of good surf to get excited about; it’s mostly small, weak, and not doing much. The first few days are flat and messy, so you’re looking at a gap of almost a week before anything even starts to feel like it’s got a pulse. The best of what’s on offer is pretty thin, but I’ll point out the one or two moments that might be worth a look.
The first real chance comes around Sunday the 19th. We’ve got a pulse of 5ft swell from the east-northeast, but it’s short period at 6 seconds and the wind is a fresh cross-shore, so it’s going to be lumpy and pretty poor quality. The combined energy is moderate (141), but it’s not going to be clean. It’s a beach break setup and with that wind, it’s honestly more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.
The next sniff of something better is Saturday the 25th. That morning shows 4ft from the west, still short period at 6 seconds, but the wind is a fresh offshore from the northwest, so it’ll be clean. Combined energy is moderate (125). The wave face should be alright, but don’t expect much power. It’s inconsistent, and crowds are always an issue here, so if you’re heading out, expect company. That’s probably the pick of the whole period, but it’s still not a standout.
The Sunday the 26th offers 4ft from the west with a light cross-shore in the morning, but the wind picks up to a fresh cross-off in the afternoon, keeping it clean. The energy is moderate (142), but again, it’s short period and not going to be special.
After that, it drops back down to tiny, weak waves for the rest of the window. The last week of July and into early August is all under 3ft, mostly 1ft to 2ft, with occasional offshore or glassy conditions but no real swell to work with. The combined energy drops into the low double digits and even single digits. It’s a long, flat run. For a spot that’s often inconsistent, this kind of blank run is normal for the area. The 30th and 31st have clean offshore winds, but with only 1ft to 2ft of swell, it’s barely breaking.
So, honestly, if you’re desperate, Saturday the 25th is your best bet for the cleanest waves and the most size. But don’t expect much. The rest of the 16 days? Leave the board in the car.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 13°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, strong winds from the NE by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | E 6 | E 5 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | W 10 | W 9 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 23 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 135 | 72 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | on | cross-off | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | off | off |
High Tide | 9:26AM3.93m | 9:39PM4.26m | 10:07AM3.85m | 10:19PM4.11m | 10:46AM3.70m | 10:57PM3.88m | 11:24AM3.51m | 11:35PM3.60m | 12:02PM3.31m | 00:13AM3.30m | 12:42PM3.11m | 00:57AM3.04m | 1:30PM2.94m | 1:50AM2.83m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:48PM0.07m | 3:19AM-0.04m | 3:30PM0.21m | 4:00AM0.15m | 4:12PM0.43m | 4:41AM0.40m | 4:54PM0.70m | 5:23AM0.70m | 5:39PM0.99m | 6:09AM1.00m | 6:33PM1.26m | 7:07AM1.27m | 7:48PM1.46m | ||||||||
 | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 19 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 5 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NW 4 | W 8 | E 6 | ENE 5 | W 9 | ESE 5 | E 4 | W 10 | E 6 | E 5 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | NE 4 | W 9 | W 8 |
| kJ | 23 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 4 | 53 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 19 | 5 | 4 | 16 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | SW 5 | WNW 3 | ENE 3 | W 8 | — | W 7 | W 7 | W 12 | W 8 | W 11 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 3 | — | S 14 | NW 4 | ENE 3 | — |
| kJ | 12 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 17 | 17 | 1 | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | SW 13 | E 4 | SW 5 | SW 5 | S 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | — | W 11 | W 8 | — | W 7 | W 7 | ENE 4 | — | S 14 | W 9 | — | S 13 |
| kJ | 6 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 10 | 5 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | 6 | — | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 6 | WNW 3 | NE 3 | — | E 4 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | — | ESE 4 | — | W 3 | E 4 | — | WNW 3 | NNE 3 | NW 3 | NNW 4 | NE 4 | — | WNW 4 |
| kJ | — | 5 | 4 | 3 | — | 1 | 135 | 72 | — | 3 | — | 1 | 3 | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | 29 | 7 | — | 11 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 374 | 932 | 489 | 557 | 557 | 85 | 137 | 615 | 439 | 137 | 480 | 230 | 93 | 660 | 345 | 756 | 747 | 118 | 444 | 552 | 470 |
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.
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