Salcombe Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s talk about what’s on the table for Salcombe over the next couple of weeks.

To be brutally honest, it’s a tough stretch. The whole 16-day window is pretty grim. There are no good options here, nothing I’d point you towards with any enthusiasm. The swell is on the small side for most of it, and when it does get a bit of height, the wind just ruins it. You’re looking at a solid run of poor surf conditions all the way through to the end of the month. It’s one of those blank runs that happens when the wind and swell just can’t get their act together.

Looking at the first week, the water temperature is sitting at a notable 64°, which is much warmer than normal for the time of year—a real standout, even if the waves aren’t.

From July 10th, Friday morning kicks off with a weak 2 ft swell from the west, but it’s got a cross-onshore wind at 16 mph, and the combined energy is only 90 – just nothing to work with. Saturday the 11th sees a bit of a jump to 6 ft, but that’s from the east with a short 6-second period and a cross wind at 22 mph. The energy climbs to 265, but the “poor surf conditions” tag says it all. By Sunday the 12th, it’s up to 7 ft, but the wind is a strong cross-shore at 28 mph, making it messy. The energy is moderate at 464, but for a beach setup like this, it’s blown out. Monday the 13th gets nasty: 10 ft of east swell with a near gale cross-shore at 31 mph. That’s expert-only territory, and even then, the wind makes it a washing machine. Honestly, that’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddling one.

After that, the swell drops off quickly into the second week. From July 15th onward, we’re mostly looking at tiny 0.7 ft to 3 ft swells with periods all over the place, and the wind just won’t let up. The only glimmer is way out on July 24th and 25th. On Friday the 24th, we get a 3 ft west swell with a 9-second period and a cross-offshore wind at 12 mph, which gives us clean conditions for once. The energy is 166—still weak, but at least it’s rideable. Saturday the 25th is the best of the whole run: a 4 ft to 5 ft west-southwest swell with a 9-second period and a clean cross-offshore breeze at 19 mph. Energy hits 257 to 335, and it’s the only window that looks even half-decent. But with a 5 ft west swell and a cross-offshore wind, the quality should be alright for those who are keen to paddle out.

So, if you’re desperate, keep an eye on that Saturday, July 25th. It’s promising but less certain this far out. For now, I’d say save your energy.

Rusty.

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