Surf Forecasts:
Swanage surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, WSW swell with 117 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Swanage this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Swanage in the next 16 days are 1.3m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) 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 1.5m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Swanage over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break it down in feet and miles, because that’s how we feel it. Looking at Swanage, it’s a rough stretch ahead. The water is warm, 70°, which is way above normal for this time of year – that’s a real unusual anomaly.
The first real hint of any swell energy comes on the 25th of August, with a 5ft swell from the SW, but the period is a short 6 seconds. That’s windswell, and with the wind blowing onshore, it’s going to be a choppy, messy mess. The combined energy hits 213 (moderate), but it’s not going to be fun.
The 27th of August has a 5ft swell from the SW, an 8-second period, and the combined energy is 241 (moderate). There’s a window on the 27th afternoon where the wind goes glassy, but the waves are still just ordinary. You’ll get a few, but it’s not going to be a session to remember.
The 2nd of September has a 4ft swell from the WSW with a 7-second period, pushing the combined energy to 193 (moderate). The wind is offshore, so it’ll be clean, but the short period means it’ll be a bit lumpy and lack any real power.
Honestly, there’s no standout here. The best of a bad lot is the 27th afternoon if you just want to get some small, clean waves, or the 2nd of September morning for the cleanest conditions. But don’t get your hopes up. It’s a pretty quiet stretch.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sun afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 4 | W 10 | S 15 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | NE 4 | S 13 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | ENE 6 | S 14 | S 14 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 75 | 46 | 17 | 50 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 11:55AM1.22m | 00:03AM1.19m | 12:32PM1.11m | 00:41AM1.03m | 1:16PM0.98m | 1:28AM0.87m | 5:02PM0.89m | 5:56AM0.83m | 5:56PM0.96m | 6:31AM0.89m | 6:30PM1.05m | 7:00AM0.97m | 7:00PM1.16m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:56PM0.40m | 8:12AM0.36m | 8:37PM0.52m | 8:50AM0.52m | 9:27PM0.63m | 9:38AM0.65m | 11:44PM0.68m | 12:36PM0.69m | 1:41AM0.55m | 1:46PM0.58m | 2:17AM0.41m | 2:22PM0.48m | 2:47AM0.28m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | |  |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — |
 | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:09 | — |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | WSW 4 | W 10 | S 15 | — | — | WSW 6 | SW 6 | E 4 | WSW 6 | SW 5 | SW 10 | W 10 | E 5 | ESE 4 | — | — | W 9 | WSW 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 12 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 49 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 26 | 6 | — | — | 2 | 6 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 6 | W 8 | W 10 | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | W 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 9 | S 13 | — | — | — | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | W 9 | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | — | SW 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | W 6 | NE 3 | NE 4 | ENE 3 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | ENE 6 | — | W 3 | — | SW 3 | W 4 |
| kJ | 74 | 106 | 55 | — | 13 | 55 | 62 | 133 | 69 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 75 | 46 | 17 | 50 | — | 1 | — | 2 | 7 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 302 | 246 | 61 | 133 | 246 | 242 | 224 | 224 | 12 | 155 | 108 | 196 | 167 | 227 | 324 | 186 | 271 | 186 | 398 | 594 | 372 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Coast of England | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Swanage Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Swanage provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Swanage can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Swanage 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 (Swanage) 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 Swanage 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.
Swanage is 13 km (8 miles) from the city of Poole. If you plan a holiday in South Coast of England, look for hotels and other accommodation in Poole. Poole has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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