Salcombe Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Salcombe’s got cooking over the next couple of weeks. I’ll keep it real – this stretch is a bit of a mixed bag, and you’ve gotta pick your moments.

To start, the water temp is sitting at 66°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the thick wetsuit at home.

Right off the bat, the first few days are a total loss. Wednesday the 5th and Thursday the 6th are showing poor surf conditions. We’ve got a short-period, messy swell with cross-off winds, and the energy is weak – only 264 and 262 (combined energy) respectively. Not worth getting wet for. This quiet spell stretches right through until the middle of the second week. The morning of Monday the 11th flirts with a glassy surface but the swell is tiny at 1.0ft and the energy is a paltry 28. It’s a long gap of flat to marginal junk.

Now, things start to look a little more promising around Wednesday the 12th. The morning goes glassy, which is a big tick for clean conditions. The swell is 4ft from the east, but the energy has jumped to a moderate 202, so there’s a bit more push. The downside? It’s short-period at 7 seconds, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and won't hold its shape well. Not a standout, but it’s the first sign of life.

Thursday the 13th sees that energy climb further to 212 in the morning and 355 in the afternoon, with a 4ft to 5ft swell from the west-southwest. But the winds are fresh and cross-off, so it won’t be perfect. Still, the morning could be worth a look if you’re desperate for a paddle.

The one true standout in this entire 16-day window lands on Sunday the 16th. We’ve got a solid 7ft swell from the west-southwest, pushing a strong 419 combined energy. The wind is offshore from the northwest, blowing at 22 mph, which will groom those faces beautifully. However, at 7ft this is getting into expert territory, especially with a short period of 7 seconds – it’s going to be a bit dumpy and powerful. That offshore wind will make it clean, but it’s not one for the groms or the weekend warriors. Keep your wits about you.

After that, the energy fades fast. Through the 17th and beyond, we’re back to small, weak swell with messy or strong cross-onshore winds. The last few mornings from the 19th have offshore winds but the swell is down to 1ft or 2ft, so you’re looking at a flat spell again.

Overall, if you’re hanging out for a wave, circle Sunday the 16th on the calendar. It’s the one window with real size and clean offshore wind, but it’s a short-period groundswell that’s going to feel punchy and is best left to the experienced crew. The rest of the outlook is lean, with long gaps of nothing much. For a spot that’s as inconsistent and sheltered as Salcombe, this kind of blank run isn’t unusual. The forecasts can change, but right now, it’s slim pickings.

Rusty.

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