Surf Forecasts:
Salcombe surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, WSW swell with 1,403 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Salcombe this week:
The surf forecast for Salcombe over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Salcombe in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Salcombe over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m lookin’ at the next few weeks here at Salcombe.
Well, I gotta be straight with you—this is a tough stretch. We’re lookin’ at a long, dry spell for decent surf. The first real chance of a wave doesn't show up until the very end of the first week. The whole run from now until then is pretty much blown out, tiny, or just plain messy.
Let’s get into it. For the next several days, we’ve got a combo of strong cross-winds and a lot of small, weak swell. The energy is low, and the conditions are just not cooperating. The first hint of a pulse comes in on Monday, the 31st of August. The morning sees a 8ft swell from the WSW with a period of 10 seconds, and the wind is a clean cross-offshore. That’s got some moderate to strong energy behind it (1106), but it’s a heavy dose of swell for a spot that’s pretty sheltered. That’s a lot of water moving around, and it’s likely gonna be a bit much for the average punter.
Honestly, instead of chasing a wave that’s gonna be a handful, I’d look at the Saturday, the 5th of September. It’s a real standout in a quiet period. The morning has a clean 4ft swell from the west, with a period of 11 seconds, and the wind is offshore. It’s light, and the energy is moderate (281). It’s not gonna be huge, but it’s the best chance for a clean, fun wave. The water temperature of 66°F is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you won’t need a full winter suit.
After that, we’re back into a lull. The swell drops right off and the wind goes onshore again. There’s a few small pulses after that, but nothing that’s going to get the heart racing. The surf is just not there. The consistency is a real issue here; Salcombe is a fickle spot, and this forecast shows exactly why.
So, if you’re keen, point your board for the 5th of September. It’s the best of a bad bunch. The rest of the time, save your energy. The forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sun night, light winds from the WNW by Mon night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu night, light winds from the WNW by Sat morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 8 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 6 | W 7 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
502 | 1230 | 1219 | 985 | 479 | 165 | 140 | 90 | 11 | 255 | 398 | 298 | 273 | 304 | 282 | 390 | 566 | 311 | 244 | 156 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:43PM4.19m | 9:04AM3.99m | 9:14PM4.15m | 9:34AM3.94m | 9:46PM4.02m | 10:07AM3.82m | 10:21PM3.80m | 10:44AM3.62m | 11:03PM3.52m | 11:30AM3.37m | 11:58PM3.20m | 12:34PM3.12m | 1:18AM2.93m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:28AM-0.16m | 2:40PM-0.05m | 3:01AM-0.14m | 3:16PM0.01m | 3:37AM0.00m | 3:54PM0.17m | 4:16AM0.25m | 4:36PM0.45m | 5:00AM0.60m | 5:27PM0.80m | 5:56AM0.98m | 6:38PM1.14m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
8:04 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | |
mm | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 12 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | S 17 | SW 16 | W 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 10 | SW 13 | W 10 |
— | — | — | — | 479 | 165 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 311 | 7 | 156 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 17 | — | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | — | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | 8 | 8 | — | — | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | W 10 | — | — | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | SW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 6 | W 7 | W 11 | — | W 10 | — |
502 | 1230 | 1219 | 985 | — | — | 140 | 90 | 51 | 255 | 398 | 298 | 273 | 304 | 282 | 390 | 566 | — | 244 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 558 | 179 | 217 | 157 | 0 | 85 | 119 | 84 | 269 | 157 | 119 | 269 | 95 | 223 | 217 | 170 | 216 | 0 | 117 | 10 |
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.











