Swanage Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Swanage over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – this stretch is a tough one. The story is pretty much the same day after day: the swell is so small and weak it barely registers, and the wind’s usually in the wrong gear. We’ve got a long barren run ahead.

Things kick off on Tuesday, 25th August with a tiny, weak 3ft swell rolling in from the east, but that’s paired with a 16 mph onshore ESE wind – a total mess. The wave energy is barely there, sitting at a measly 65 (weak energy). The water temperature is a notable 69°, which is a massive 7° warmer than normal for this time of year – very unusual and will feel like a warm bath. No surfing to be had.

Wednesday and Thursday, 26th–27th, are flat. The swell drops to nothing – 0.7ft or less – with energy readings in the single digits. A few of those mornings look clean with cross-off winds, but you’re looking at ankle-slop at best. You couldn’t even get a ride on a boogie board.

We roll into the weekend of the 28th–29th of August. Friday the 28th morning sees a 3ft, 7-second SW windswell and a bit more energy at 107 (moderate energy), but that 19 mph WSW wind is cross-off so the surface might be clean. Still, the quality is poor – small and weak. Saturday the 29th pushes up to 8ft SW swell with the period still short at 7 seconds. Energy jumps to a strong 754 (strong energy) in the morning and 641 in the afternoon. The problem is a strong breeze of 25-28 mph SW making things messy. The wave quality is still poor – it’s all just lumpy, blown-out closeouts. This is more for kite surfers than paddle surfers.

Sunday the 30th of August offers the best chance in the whole window, but it’s still not great. We’ve got a 5ft SW swell with a period stretching to 9 seconds, and combined energy of 343 (moderate). Wind is a moderate 12 mph SW cross-off, keeping the surface clean. This is the standout – the only one I can point to. It’s small, but with that slightly longer period it’ll have a bit more push than the rest. The break is Swanage – a very sheltered spot that rarely breaks, so this is notable. The crowds are sometimes an issue there. Swell direction is SW, which is the optimum. Still, don’t expect much.

After that, the second week is flat and grim. From Monday, 31st August right through to Monday, 7th September, the swell is a joke – consistently 2ft or smaller, with energy barely cracking 50. Winds are often strong cross-off or offshore, but there’s no wave to surf. Tuesday, 8th September, shows a late spike – a 7ft, 6-second WSW swell (energy 319 – moderate) with a 22 mph WSW offshore wind. The period is too short for that size, so it’ll be a messy, bumpy wall. Only for experts, and even then, hard work. Wednesday, 9th September, offers a 6ft, 9-second WSW swell with a fresh offshore wind and energy of 442. Cleaner, but still a long way from quality.

Honestly, this 16-day run is a dud. A blank run like this is pretty normal for a sheltered spot like Swanage. If you’ve got to get wet, aim for Sunday, 30th August – the best of a bad bunch. Forecasts can change, but right now, don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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