Surf Forecasts:
Salcombe surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, E swell with 192 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 7s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Salcombe over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s cooking for the Salcombe area. I’ll be honest, the next week and a half is looking pretty flat. Don’t be in a rush to wax up.
The first real sign of life doesn’t show up until Friday the 7th of August. That’s a solid week of tiny, weak, and messy conditions to get through. From the 29th of July through the 6th of August, the wave energy is puny, with swell heights stuck below 2ft. The wind is mostly cross-off or onshore, but the swell is just too small to do anything.
Now, come Friday morning the 7th of August, things finally change. We’ve got a proper pulse of swell pushing in from the WSW at 7ft, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy of all swells directed here jumps to 480, a big jump from the weak stuff, so there’s some real power. The water temp is 65°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
The best option for that Friday morning is Salcombe. It’s a sheltered spot, and the wind is a gentle cross-off from the west at 9 mph, keeping things clean. The swell is significant – 8ft on the afternoon – which is pushing into expert territory. For the morning, it’s a solid 7ft, which is going to be too much for beginners. This is a big, powerful, clean wave, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. The period is a moderate 8 seconds, so it’s a windswell, but the energy is there. For the experienced crew, this is the standout window. The crowd situation at Salcombe is always, so expect a full lineup.
That’s really your only true shot. The Saturday the 8th drops off, and the rest of the run into the 13th of August is back to small, weak, and messy. It’s a long wait for one good morning.
So, my call: if you’re an expert, that Friday morning the 7th of August is the one. Otherwise, you’re better off waiting for the next system. The forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a one-hit wonder.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Thu afternoon, calm by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the ENE by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | E 6 | E 6 | WSW 8 | E 7 | E 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 24 | 29 | 30 | 24 | 73 | 14 | 13 | 40 | 10 | 31 | 41 | 38 | 35 | 35 | 28 | 39 | 89 | 60 | 24 | 111 | 38 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 7:36PM3.69m | 7:57AM3.51m | 8:10PM3.87m | 8:30AM3.64m | 8:42PM3.98m | 9:03AM3.71m | 9:12PM4.02m | 9:34AM3.74m | 9:43PM4.00m | 10:06AM3.71m | 10:14PM3.91m | 10:39AM3.64m | 10:49PM3.77m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:51PM0.64m | 1:17AM0.49m | 1:25PM0.46m | 1:49AM0.31m | 1:57PM0.32m | 2:21AM0.18m | 2:30PM0.24m | 2:54AM0.10m | 3:03PM0.21m | 3:27AM0.09m | 3:39PM0.26m | 4:03AM0.17m | 4:17PM0.38m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | |  | | | |  | | | |
 | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:53 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 5 | W 12 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | E 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | E 7 | E 6 |
| kJ | 24 | 29 | 30 | 24 | 5 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 31 | 41 | 38 | 35 | 35 | 28 | 39 | 89 | 40 | 24 | 111 | 38 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 11 | NE 4 | — | W 4 | WNW 4 | ENE 4 | W 8 | — | WSW 8 | — | — | SW 7 | SW 7 |
| kJ | 9 | — | 17 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 13 | — | 10 | 1 | — | 8 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 40 | — | — | 14 | 13 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | W 7 | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 3 | W 4 | W 4 | W 9 | WNW 5 | NNE 4 | W 8 | NW 4 | WNW 4 | W 3 | N 3 | NE 3 | — | — | E 4 | — | E 6 | E 7 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | 10 | 6 | 73 | 22 | 2 | 40 | 17 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 4 | — | — | 28 | — | 60 | 218 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 117 | 169 | 169 | 217 | 251 | 217 | 107 | 251 | 117 | 120 | 135 | 95 | 115 | 115 | 263 | 93 | 95 | 92 | 374 | 29 | 169 |
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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