Surf Forecasts:
Salcombe surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 7s period, W swell with 212 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 Sunday (Jul 26) 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 1.6m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Salcombe over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it.
To be straight with you, the next couple of weeks around Salcombe are looking pretty flat for the most part. There are some days with a bit of energy but the window is small and the conditions are mixed. We’ve got a gap at the start – basically nothing doing from now through to about the 26th of July, so that’s nearly a week of waiting.
The first flicker of hope shows up on the 26th of July in the afternoon. We’ve got a pulse of swell coming from the west at 4ft with an 8-second period and moderate wave energy (187) here. But the wind is a fresh offshore from the northwest at 19 mph, so the surf will be clean. That’s a standout for the sheer fact it’s the first rideable wave on offer, but it won’t be big or powerful.
The real standout comes on the 4th of August – Tuesday. We see the best mix of size and energy. Swell hits 5ft to 6ft out of the west with an 8 to 9-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 383 to 413 – that’s moderate to strong. Winds are offshore from the west-southwest at 12-19 mph, so it’ll be clean. This is for experienced surfers though – over 5ft, so not a beginner wave. Crowds are always an issue at Salcombe, so expect company. The swell direction (west) matches the optimum for this spot. This is where I’d point you.
Before that, on the 31st of July, we get a spike: a 8ft west-southwest swell with 754 energy – that’s strong. But the wind is a strong cross-onshore from the east-northeast at 28 mph. That’s messy and only for experts, if anyone. Not great. On the 1st of August, the afternoon cleans up with a 3ft west-southwest swell and offshore wind, so a small but clean option.
Water temperature on the 20th of July was 66°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – about 4° above average. That’s notable for a Salcombe dawny.
Overall, there’s a long dry spell, then a few windows. The 4th of August morning and afternoon are your best bet for decent waves with clean winds. The 26th of July afternoon is the first real chance to get wet. Keep an eye on the forecasts – things can change.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu night, fresh winds from the W by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | S 11 | W 10 | W 4 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 6 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 187 | 153 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | off | cross-on | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 11:24AM3.51m | 11:35PM3.60m | 12:02PM3.31m | 00:13AM3.30m | 12:42PM3.11m | 00:57AM3.04m | 1:30PM2.94m | 1:50AM2.83m | 2:30PM2.83m | 3:01AM2.71m | 3:53PM2.83m | 4:37AM2.75m | 5:20PM2.98m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:54PM0.70m | 5:23AM0.70m | 5:39PM0.99m | 6:09AM1.00m | 6:33PM1.26m | 7:07AM1.27m | 7:48PM1.46m | 8:28AM1.43m | 9:18PM1.50m | 9:48AM1.41m | 10:29PM1.37m | 10:49AM1.27m | 11:22PM1.17m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | |  | | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | |
 | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 25 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 18 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | E 4 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | ESE 4 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | S 11 | W 10 | — | — | W 8 |
| kJ | 6 | 6 | 3 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 153 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 8 | E 5 | E 4 | — | — | S 14 | — | S 14 | W 8 | — | — | S 13 | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 3 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | 4 | 6 | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 8 | — | W 7 | W 7 | — | — | — | S 14 | — | S 13 | — | S 13 | — | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 5 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | SE 4 | — | E 4 | — | WNW 3 | NE 3 | — | NW 3 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | E 4 | — | — | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | W 4 | W 5 | W 4 | W 8 | N 3 |
| kJ | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 36 | 57 | 38 | 187 | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 137 | 693 | 224 | 92 | 115 | 230 | 482 | 523 | 90 | 95 | 592 | 470 | 511 | 752 | 588 | 484 | 749 | 150 | 726 | 151 | 107 |
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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