
Surf Forecasts:
Salcombe surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, W swell with 220 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Salcombe this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Salcombe in the next 16 days are 1.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 7s period and expected on Monday (Jul 27) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
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 cookin' for the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, the surf is pretty grim for the foreseeable future. We’ve got a solid 16-day window, but the ocean is flat and lifeless for the first week. The small bumps that show up are barely a ripple, not worth wettin' a wetsuit for. For a spot like Salcombe, it's a bit of a dry spell, but it happens.
The real kickoff doesn't come until Sunday the 26th of July. We finally see a pulse of energy roll in. The swell is coming from the West, about 3 ft, with a short period of 7 seconds. The combined energy is weak at 85, but the wind is offshore from the WNW at 16 mph, which will clean it right up. That afternoon, it bumps up a bit: 4 ft, still 7 seconds, and the energy climbs to 146 (moderate). The wind stays offshore from the WNW at 19 mph, making for fresh, clean faces. This is a short-period, wind-driven swell, so it’ll be a bit dumpy and quick, but for a beach break, it’s the best we’ve seen all week. Keep your expectations low – it’s not a groundswell, but it’s rideable.
Monday the 27th of July morning holds some decent leftovers: 4 ft at 8 seconds from the West, with a moderate energy of 210, and clean cross-offshore winds at 12 mph. The afternoon goes flat. After that, we’re back to small, weak stuff until the 1st of August.
Saturday the 1st of August is the standout. The morning is tiny, but the afternoon brings a proper West swell, 3 ft, but with a long period of 11 seconds. That long period means real energy – 144 (moderate) – and the waves will have shape and push. The wind is cross-off from the West at 19 mph, keeping things clean. This is the best-quality wave in the whole forecast. Sunday the 2nd of August morning has a similar 3 ft at 9 seconds, and the afternoon sees a bigger 5 ft swell from the WSW at 8 seconds, with a strong energy reading of 321. That’s a chunky, powerful wave – definitely for experienced surfers only, as it'll be over 5 ft.
The crowds at Salcombe are always an issue, so expect company. The water temp on the 21st of July was 66°, a full 5° warmer than normal, so it’s muggier than usual for this time of year.
Overall, don't get excited about the first week. The best bet is the afternoon of Saturday the 1st of August – that long-period West swell with clean wind is the one to circle on the calendar. The Sunday the 2nd of August afternoon is big, so only for the experienced crew.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed night, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | S 11 | W 5 | W 7 | W 7 | W 8 | W 8 | W 5 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 85 | 146 | 196 | 210 | 0 | 37 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | off | glassy | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | off | cross | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 00:13AM3.30m | 12:42PM3.11m | 00:57AM3.04m | 1:30PM2.94m | 1:50AM2.83m | 2:30PM2.83m | 3:01AM2.71m | 3:53PM2.83m | 4:37AM2.75m | 5:20PM2.98m | 5:53AM2.92m | 6:17PM3.21m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:39PM0.99m | 6:09AM1.00m | 6:33PM1.26m | 7:07AM1.27m | 7:48PM1.46m | 8:28AM1.43m | 9:18PM1.50m | 9:48AM1.41m | 10:29PM1.37m | 10:49AM1.27m | 11:22PM1.17m | 11:36AM1.07m | 00:05AM0.94m | |||||||
— | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | |
— | 9:14 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | ESE 4 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | W 4 |
17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | 196 | — | — | 13 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | E 4 | — | — | S 14 | — | S 14 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 |
2 | 1 | — | — | 4 | — | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 37 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | — | — | — | S 14 | — | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 4 | — | NW 4 | ESE 3 | ESE 3 | — | — | — | NW 3 | WNW 3 | WNW 4 | W 5 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | W 8 | W 5 | — |
— | — | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 29 | 76 | 85 | 146 | 232 | 210 | 66 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 693 | 230 | 493 | 661 | 439 | 90 | 137 | 137 | 511 | 559 | 550 | 932 | 349 | 151 | 217 | 216 | 24 | 96 | 199 | 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.










