Salcombe Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s talk about what’s on offer around Salcombe. The setup is sheltered here, and the optimum swell direction is straight out of the south, which is important to keep in mind because a lot of what’s coming through the next couple weeks doesn’t quite line up with that.

The water’s sitting at about 63°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so don’t expect the usual autumn chill just yet.

We’ve got a bit of a quiet start. The first proper nod comes on Wednesday the 16th. The early morning sees a 6ft swell from the west with a moderate offshore breeze from the northwest – that’ll be clean enough to make you think about it. The wind holds through the afternoon but goes cross-off, and the swell stays around 5ft with a longer 11-second period. Don’t get too excited yet; it’s still just a solid "maybe" rather than a standout. Thursday the 17th has a bigger push of 6ft from the west-southwest but the period drops right down to 6 seconds, and it’s cross-off and choppy – not worth getting wet for.

Now, Friday the 18th is where things get interesting. A 5ft swell from the west with a very long 13-second period rolls in, and the combined energy is sitting strong at 839. That kind of period means better shaped waves and proper groundswell feel, but Salcombe’s a sheltered setup so those long lines might wrap in nicely. It’s cross-off in the morning with a moderate breeze, so the surface should stay tidy. This is the first real standout of the run.

After that, things go pretty quiet for a solid week. From Saturday the 19th right through to Saturday the 26th, it’s mostly small, weak, or just messy with onshore or cross-on winds. Sunday the 21st does have a moment of dead glass in the morning with a tiny 2ft swell – flat and pretty, but not surfable.

The real event is waiting at the end. Monday the 28th of September – that’s over a week and a half away, so keep it in the back of your mind. The morning shows a 10ft swell from the west, but it’s cross-on and sloppy. The afternoon though? 13ft from the west-southwest, cross-off wind, and a combined energy reading of 3352. That is serious power. That size is expert-only territory, and with a 10-second period it’ll be a heavy, moving wall. The following day, Tuesday the 29th, cleans right up: 8ft in the morning with a nearly calm north-northwest breeze, cross-off, and still holding good energy at 999. That’s the pick of the whole window, no question – powerful, clean, and still manageable for a strong intermediate if you’ve got your wits about you.

So to sum it: this Wednesday morning is worth a look if you’re keen and local, Friday the 18th is your first proper standout with that long-period west swell, and the real heavy-hitter is that Monday-Tuesday combo right at the end of September. Just remember, long-range forecasts can shift, so keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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