Salcombe Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Salcombe over the next couple of weeks. To be straight with you, it’s a pretty tough run. The guidance points to Salcombe being a sheltered spot, and it’s also inconsistent, so we’re not going to see much in the way of proper waves. There’s a big gap of nothing really worth paddling out for right from the start. The first few days are a write-off, with poor conditions and onshore or cross-off winds messing things up. Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th are just not on. Saturday the 5th has a glassy morning, but the swell is tiny and it’s still rated as poor. This quiet spell stretches all the way through until Sunday the 7th.

Now, Monday the 7th of September is where we finally get a flicker of hope. The morning session sees a moderate offshore wind from the NW, which is exactly what you want. The swell is a 4ft W groundswell with a 12-second period, giving it some nice shape and energy. The combined energy is moderate at 465. It’s not huge, but for this spot, it’s the best on offer. Keep in mind, this break is inconsistent, so you’ll have to be patient, but when a set comes through, it should be clean.

Tuesday the 8th is the standout of the whole period. The morning has a solid 7ft W swell, with a moderate offshore wind from the NW. The combined energy is strong at 718, and the forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the one to aim for. However, that 7ft is getting up there, so this is more for intermediate to experienced surfers. The swell direction is W, and the optimum is S, so it’s not a perfect match, but the clean offshore wind and decent size make it the best call. It might get a bit too big for beginners.

After that, things drop off again. Wednesday the 9th has some offshore wind but the swell is small. There’s another gap of poor conditions, with onshore winds and choppy seas through the rest of the week and into the next. There’s a long-period swell showing on the 15th of September, with a 16-second period and a big combined energy of 696, but the wind is cross-on, making it messy. It’s a shame, as that kind of period would normally mean powerful waves, but the wind ruins it.

Finally, on Wednesday the 16th of September, we get another look. The morning has a gentle cross-off wind and a 4ft W swell with a 14-second period. Combined energy is a moderate 440 and it’s another “good surf conditions” call. This one is worth keeping an eye on, but it’s over a week away, so treat it as promising but not set in stone. The water temp is about a touch warmer than normal at 65°, which is nice for this time of year.

So, if you’re looking for a paddle, your best bet is the morning of Tuesday the 8th, with Monday the 7th and Wednesday the 16th as backup options. For the rest of it, you’re probably better off checking the forecasts again in a few days.

Rusty.

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