Salcombe Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s be straight with you. For this stretch of coast, we're looking at a pretty grim run ahead. Salcombe is the only break in the frame, and to be honest, it’s a tough watch.

First off, the water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so no surprises there in terms of what you’re putting a wetsuit on for.

Right now and through the first week, there’s just nothing doing. We’re looking at small, weak waves – around 2 to 2 ft from the west, with a short period that’s not packing any punch. The combined energy is barely breaking double figures, sitting between 40 and 59 (weak). To make things worse, the wind is mostly cross-off or cross-on, but it's not enough to turn this into anything rideable. The reports are all "poor surf conditions" – it’s a total non-starter.

Around Friday the 10th and into the weekend, the swell actually starts to pick up a bit, bumping to 5 ft, then 6 ft on Saturday, and hitting 7 ft by Sunday. This is all short-period windswell from the east, with dirty cross-shore winds gusting 28 mph. The combined energy jumps to 293 on Saturday and 493 on Sunday (moderate to strong). But it's all messy, choppy, and cross-chop – honestly, this setup looks way more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. It’s raw, lumpy, and blown out. Not the kind of day you want to be fighting a short-period, messy wall.

The only glimmer of hope comes on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th. By Saturday morning we get a 4 ft west swell with a northwest cross-off breeze, keeping it clean. The combined energy is 141 (moderate). Saturday afternoon sees the wind shift to a proper offshore from the WNW at 22 mph, cleaning things up nicely on that 4 ft swell. Sunday morning then has a moderate offshore from the NNW, but the swell has completely flatlined – zero energy. Sunday afternoon is the same story: offshore wind but no swell.

Then into Tuesday the 21st, there’s a weird little blip: glassy conditions, clean as a whistle, with a 4 ft west swell and a combined energy of 186 (moderate). That’s the best you’re going to see in this 16-day run. But it’s inconsistent at this spot, so don’t bank on it being perfect.

Honestly, for the 16-day outlook, there are no true standouts. The only one worth a look is Tuesday the 21st at Salcombe, with a glassy morning and 4 ft from the west. That’s gonna be the pick, but even then, it’s inconsistent and you’ll be sharing it – crowds are always a thing here. For everything else, you’re better off finding a different hobby for a couple of weeks.

- Rusty

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