Surf Forecasts:
Salcombe surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, W swell with 379 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 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Salcombe over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – Salcombe is having a rough run. We're looking at a solid stretch of nothing much for the next week and a half, with the first real glimmer of hope showing up over a week away.
The water here is sittin' at 66°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year – nice for a paddle, but right now you'd just be floating. This is a sheltered spot, and that's the problem. The first recommendation doesn't come until Thursday, the 20th of August, so that's over a week of waiting. For the next week, it's all small, weak, and messy. Tuesday the 11th has tiny swell, weak energy, and a nasty cross-onshore wind. Wednesday the 12th is a bit more push but that cross-shore chop will have you scratching your head. The winds do go cross-offshore and even glassy from the 13th through the 16th, with clean conditions on offer, but the swell is just too small – peaking at a weak 4ft on Thursday afternoon, still rated as poor. It's just not enough to get the banks working.
Now, the standout. Thursday the 20th of August is the one to circle. The groundswell comes alive at 7ft from the west, with a proper 12-second period pushing through. That’s a long-period groundswell that will bring proper shape and energy, though at a beach break it can break a bit straight. The swell energy is massive. And on Thursday morning, we get glassy conditions – perfectly calm wind. That is a serious window. But listen, 7ft is well into expert territory. This is not a beginner's wave. The water will be churning, and you'll need your wits about you. Crowds are always an issue at Salcombe, so get in early.
The rest of the window is a mixed bag. The afternoon of the 20th gets a light cross-on breeze, and by the following Saturday, the 22nd, there are some clean 5ft waves, but they are only described as surfable but very ordinary. Then another shot pops up on Sunday the 23rd with 6ft swell, but onshore winds ruin the party completely.
So, to sum it up: don't bother for the next week. Wait for Thursday the 20th of August. That Thursday morning is the only true standout. Everything else is a washout or for the hardy. Keep the faith, check the charts, and be ready to go when that glassy window hits.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Wed morning, light winds from the NW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 | E 4 | E 5 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 12 | 32 | 33 | 73 | 92 | 110 | 180 | 346 | 157 | 106 | 157 | 157 | 82 | 74 | 74 | 28 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 23 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:26PM3.77m | 6:59AM3.67m | 7:16PM4.08m | 7:44AM3.89m | 7:58PM4.29m | 8:25AM4.03m | 8:37PM4.37m | 9:02AM4.05m | 9:13PM4.31m | 9:36AM3.98m | 9:47PM4.14m | 10:08AM3.84m | 10:18PM3.89m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:34AM0.59m | 00:07AM0.31m | 12:24PM0.30m | 00:54AM0.02m | 1:08PM0.08m | 1:37AM-0.16m | 1:49PM-0.04m | 2:16AM-0.22m | 2:28PM-0.05m | 2:53AM-0.15m | 3:05PM0.05m | 3:29AM0.03m | 3:41PM0.25m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  |  | | | |
 | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — |
 | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 29 | 29 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | ENE 5 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | ENE 5 | NW 3 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 |
| kJ | 12 | 5 | 25 | 73 | 92 | 110 | 180 | 9 | 157 | 106 | 99 | 157 | 82 | 74 | 74 | 28 | 14 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 23 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | WSW 6 | W 7 | SW 6 | SW 6 | ENE 5 | E 5 | ENE 5 | E 4 | — | — | — | W 10 | NE 4 | — | — | W 7 | W 7 | — | W 10 | — |
| kJ | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 35 | 19 | 9 | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 17 | 9 | — | 2 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | E 4 | — | S 18 | — |
| kJ | 2 | 8 | 6 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 6 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 3 | E 4 | E 5 | ENE 6 | E 5 | E 5 | — | W 10 | W 4 | — | W 9 | NNW 4 | NNE 4 | WNW 3 | N 4 | NE 4 | — | N 3 | — | W 2 | WSW 5 |
| kJ | 3 | 32 | 33 | 58 | 37 | 33 | — | 346 | 12 | — | 157 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 18 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 27 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 480 | 199 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 24 | 1 | 216 | 1 | 95 | 117 | 24 | 117 | 117 | 143 | 115 | 252 | 494 | 470 | 479 | 280 |
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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