Surf Forecasts:
Salcombe surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, W swell with 235 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Salcombe this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Salcombe in the next 16 days are 1.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Salcombe over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, let’s be real about the surf situation for the next stretch. It’s looking pretty lean out there for us at Salcombe. We’re in for a long, slow grind of tiny waves and bad wind for the most part. If you've got other things to do, now’s the time to do them.
The first few days, from the 15th right through to the 20th, are a write-off. You’ll see some tiny, weak swells, but nothing that’s even worth paddling out for. On the 15th and 16th it’s just too small and the wind is not helping. The 19th has a slight increase in size, but it's still a no-go. There’s just no push or power behind anything.
Now, if you’re desperate for a wave, Thursday the 20th is your only real window. We get a moderate swell of about 4ft, coming from the west with a 9-second period. The wind will be cross-offshore and clean, which is a big plus. The combined energy reads 230 in the morning and 233 in the afternoon, which is the most we're going to see for a good while. It won’t be life-changing, but it’s the best bet for a clean, surfable wave on a beach break.
After that, it’s back to the dry spell. There’s a little bump on the 23rd, but it’s got onshore winds all over it, so it’ll be choppy and messy. We see a bit more size on the 27th, but the swell is coming from the wrong direction and the period is a short 5-seconds. This makes for weak and crumbly waves. The 29th has some size in the afternoon at 5ft, but it’s short-period, and there’s a risk of thunderstorms in the mix; it sounds like a bit of a washing machine. The end of the month just looks windy and lumpy, more for the kites.
So, there you have it. It’s a pretty bleak outlook. The conditions on the 20th are your best shot. Just keep your expectations low and enjoy being out there if you decide to go. This flat spell won’t last forever, but this forecast sure feels like it will.
-Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the W by Mon afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed afternoon, calm by Fri morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sat 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 10 | S 18 | W 4 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | W 7 | SW 16 | SW 15 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
49 | 41 | 28 | 17 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 91 | 10 | 9 | 214 | 225 | 132 | 76 | 73 | 10 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 9:13PM4.31m | 9:36AM3.98m | 9:47PM4.14m | 10:08AM3.84m | 10:18PM3.89m | 10:38AM3.64m | 10:50PM3.60m | 11:10AM3.40m | 11:23PM3.29m | 11:45AM3.15m | 00:03AM2.99m | 12:31PM2.91m | 00:56AM2.73m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:53AM-0.15m | 3:05PM0.05m | 3:29AM0.03m | 3:41PM0.25m | 4:03AM0.30m | 4:17PM0.52m | 4:37AM0.62m | 4:52PM0.84m | 5:11AM0.96m | 5:31PM1.18m | 5:52AM1.30m | 6:25PM1.50m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 18 | 23 | 25 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 21 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | S 18 | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 |
49 | 41 | 28 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 6 | — | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 132 | 76 | 73 | 80 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | — | WSW 8 | ENE 4 | — | W 10 | — | — | SW 16 | — | — | SW 16 | — | SW 15 | SW 14 | — | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
11 | — | 11 | 1 | — | 8 | — | — | 11 | — | — | 10 | — | 9 | 8 | — | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | — | — | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 |
3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 10 | 10 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 4 | NE 4 | — | WNW 4 | W 4 | W 4 | W 4 | W 5 | W 5 | W 6 | W 7 | W 5 | W 5 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | N 2 |
— | 10 | 5 | — | 15 | 4 | 17 | 37 | 43 | 52 | 72 | 91 | 60 | 82 | 214 | 225 | — | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 152 | 152 | 156 | 293 | 323 | 374 | 169 | 263 | 374 | 252 | 151 | 24 | 169 | 253 | 151 | 157 | 24 | 85 | 107 | 85 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Devon | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











