Surf Forecasts:
Salcombe surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 7 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 14s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 12s period, W swell with 894 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 8s 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 14s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Salcombe in the next 16 days are 1.8m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 04) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Fri 4th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Salcombe over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Salcombe over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – it’s a pretty grim start. The first few days of September are offering next to nothing, with tiny, messy waves and lousy winds. You’re looking at a real blank run for the first week, with nothing worth paddling out for. The combined energy readings are weak, with values like 21 and 76, which tells you all you need to know. It’s a tough start, but it doesn’t stay poor forever.
The first real flicker of hope comes on Monday the 7th. The morning will see a proper groundswell push through, with a 5ft swell from the west, a very long period of 13 seconds. That’s a lot of energy in the water, with a combined energy reading of 813. The wind is light and cross-off, so the waves will be clean. This is a long-period swell, so it’ll be better shaped and more powerful, but it might break a bit too straight for a beach setup. The afternoon is still decent, but the wind picks up a notch. The water temperature is sitting at 65°, which is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year.
Tuesday the 8th gets blown out by strong winds, so that’s a no-go. The next standout is Tuesday the 15th. The morning offers a clean 5ft swell from the WSW with a 9-second period and a light cross-off wind. The energy is solid at 435. Then Wednesday the 16th is the pick of the whole run. The morning has a 5ft swell from the WSW, a period of 11 seconds, and a light cross-off breeze. The combined energy is 657, and the conditions are described as expect good surf. It’s clean, it’s got some push, and it’s your best bet, but being this far out, it’s promising rather than a guarantee.
Salcombe is a sheltered spot, and it’s always crowded, so you’ll have company. The optimum swell direction is from the south, but the best swells are coming from the west and WSW, so it’s a bit of a compromise. For experts, the 5ft to 6ft days are fine, but beginners might find the 5ft-plus days a bit much.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Tue afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun night, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 8 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 6 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 16 | W 13 | W 12 | W 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
132 | 70 | 11 | 268 | 291 | 276 | 244 | 257 | 237 | 264 | 189 | 214 | 120 | 102 | 60 | 40 | 149 | 799 | 679 | 776 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | off | glassy | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 2:07PM2.98m | 3:10AM2.85m | 3:58PM3.10m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:37AM0.00m | 3:54PM0.17m | 4:16AM0.25m | 4:36PM0.45m | 5:00AM0.60m | 5:27PM0.80m | 5:56AM0.98m | 6:38PM1.14m | 7:21AM1.29m | 8:28PM1.28m | 9:12AM1.28m | 10:06PM1.04m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | SW 16 | W 8 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | SE 4 | WSW 16 | W 13 | W 12 | — |
6 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 189 | 214 | 120 | 102 | 60 | 7 | 149 | 799 | 679 | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 17 | — | SW 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | W 11 | SW 13 | W 12 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 9 | W 8 | ESE 12 | — | — |
6 | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 63 | 7 | 43 | 7 | 6 | 40 | 22 | 14 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | — | SW 13 | — | — | SW 12 | E 4 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | 7 | — | — | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | SW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 6 | W 8 | — | — | — | ESE 2 | SE 4 | — | — | — | WSW 4 | W 11 |
132 | 70 | 47 | 268 | 291 | 276 | 244 | 257 | 237 | 264 | — | — | — | 1 | 10 | — | — | — | 20 | 776 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 95 | 84 | 269 | 169 | 96 | 95 | 157 | 269 | 85 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 94 | 83 | 84 | 94 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 42 |
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.











