
Surf Forecasts:
Salcombe surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, W swell with 408 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 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 13) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Salcombe over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Salcombe over the next couple of weeks.
Straight up, it’s a bit of a slow start. The forecast window kicks off on Saturday, 8th August, but we’re looking at tiny, weak waves for days. The first recommendation isn’t until later, but I’ll walk you through it.
From Saturday the 8th right through to Tuesday the 12th, the swell is basically non-existent or just too small and messy to bother with. We’re talking 0.3 ft to 2 ft at best, with short periods and cross-onshore winds. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 65°F with a 3°F positive anomaly, but that’s about the only good news.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Wednesday morning, 13th August. The swell picks up to 3 ft from the west, with a period of 11 seconds, and a gentle offshore wind from the WNW. The combined energy hits 274 (moderate), and the conditions are clean. Still, the score is a zero, so it’s not a standout, just a sign that things are waking up.
Thursday, 14th August, is where it gets interesting. The morning has 4 ft of west swell with a 9-second period, and the wind is glassy – a light breeze from the NW. That’s a major positive for clean surf. The combined energy is 202 (moderate). The afternoon is equally glassy with a 4 ft west swell. This is the best on offer in the first week, but it’s still not a true standout.
Things get a bit lumpy again through the weekend, with cross-shore winds and smaller swell. By Monday, 18th August, it’s fairly clean but only 2 ft and strong breezes.
Now, the real standout is shaping up for the middle of the second week. On Wednesday, 19th August, we get a 6 ft west swell in the morning, with a fresh offshore wind from the NW. The combined energy is 241 (moderate). The afternoon gets even better: 6 ft from the west, period of 7 seconds, combined energy of 367 (moderate), and clean conditions. This is the biggest, cleanest swell of the whole period. The wind is cross-offshore, which is fine. It’s getting a bit big for beginners, but for the experienced crew, this is the session to circle.
Thursday, 20th August, continues the run with a 5 ft west swell in the morning, energy at 415 (strong), and clean conditions. The afternoon is 5 ft from the west, period 10 seconds, energy 408 (strong), and clean. The forecast gives this a marginal call, so it’s a bit of a gamble, but the previous day is the real prize.
After that, it drops off again through the final days, with smaller, chopier surf and cross-onshore winds.
So, the takeaway: the first week is a write-off. The absolute best window is Wednesday, 19th August, especially the afternoon, with the 6 ft west swell and clean conditions. Thursday, 20th August is also promising but less certain. Get out there if you can.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 17°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Tue morning, light winds from the NNW by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 7 | E 4 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 121 | 194 | 173 | 98 | 135 | 242 | 408 | 154 | 202 | 192 | 51 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | glassy | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:13PM3.10m | 2:57AM3.01m | 3:51PM3.15m | 4:43AM3.10m | 5:22PM3.41m | 6:03AM3.38m | 6:26PM3.77m | 6:59AM3.67m | 7:16PM4.08m | 7:44AM3.89m | 7:58PM4.29m | 8:25AM4.03m | 8:37PM4.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:36PM1.16m | 9:18AM1.09m | 10:06PM0.98m | 10:35AM0.89m | 11:13PM0.65m | 11:34AM0.59m | 00:07AM0.31m | 12:24PM0.30m | 00:54AM0.02m | 1:08PM0.08m | 1:37AM-0.16m | 1:49PM-0.04m | 2:16AM-0.22m | ||||||||
5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | |
— | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | ESE 3 | E 4 | E 4 | WSW 6 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 6 | W 10 | WSW 11 | W 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | W 11 | ENE 5 | W 10 | W 9 | — | WNW 8 |
6 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 25 | 74 | 98 | 135 | 242 | 9 | 154 | 202 | — | 120 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 11 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 6 | W 9 | SW 6 | SW 6 | E 5 | E 6 | — | E 5 | — | — | W 8 |
— | 2 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 35 | 32 | — | 2 | — | — | 51 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 7 | SW 7 | WSW 6 | SW 12 | — | WNW 3 | — | W 11 | W 10 | W 13 | W 7 | S 12 | — | W 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | SE 3 | — | — | WSW 6 | WNW 4 | — | — | — | E 4 | E 6 | E 6 | E 7 | E 6 | — | NW 3 | W 10 | W 4 | — | W 9 | N 4 |
2 | 3 | — | — | 8 | 5 | — | — | — | 14 | 121 | 194 | 173 | 71 | — | 2 | 408 | 30 | — | 192 | 9 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 229 | 179 | 115 | 217 | 496 | 111 | 107 | 115 | 115 | 224 | 488 | 83 | 137 | 83 | 10 | 1 | 135 | 141 | 141 | 262 | 117 |
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.











