Surf Forecasts:
Swanage surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, SW swell with 816 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Swanage this week:
The surf forecast for Swanage over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Swanage in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) 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 1.9m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Swanage over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I’m gonna level with you. This is Swanage we’re talking about, and if you’re hoping for a proper surf window over the next couple of weeks, you’re going to be disappointed. The spot is very sheltered, rarely breaks, and the whole 16-day run is basically a write-off. There’s no real swell to speak of – just tiny, weak lines that barely register. The water temperature is sitting at 70°, which is 7° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s really unusual, almost like a warm bath. But that’s about the only highlight.
We’ve got a long gap of basically nothing. Through Wednesday August 19th right into the end of the month, the wave energy is almost zero, with the combined swell energy reading as low as 0 to 20 (weak). The only faint pulse happens around Wednesday August 26th, when the combined energy climbs to 110 (moderate) on Wednesday afternoon, with a 5 ft swell from the S at 5 seconds – that’s short-period, wind-driven junk. Winds are cross-off from the SSW, so it’ll be clean, but the waves will be fat and weak. Thursday August 27th morning also shows 4 ft from the SW at 7 seconds, with 141 energy (moderate) and cross-shore breeze from the S – not great, but it’s the most we’ve got. Still, this is really only for the most desperate surfers.
After that, it drops back to tiny – 2 ft, 3 ft, then 2 ft through the end of the month and into September. There’s a brief flicker on Wednesday September 2nd morning with 3 ft from the WSW at 6 seconds and 49 energy, but it’s another weak, short-period swell. Honestly, for a sheltered spot like this, you’re better off waiting for a proper groundswell to push in, but that’s not in the forecast.
If you’re a kite surfer, there’s more to get excited about – the onshore winds on Monday August 24th are blowing 22 to 25 mph from the E with 5 ft of messy wind-chop, but for paddle surfing, it’s a no-go.
So, bottom line: there’s nothing worth paddling out for in the next 16 days. Swanage is just not cooperating. Forecasts can change, but right now it’s a flat spell.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WNW on Sat night, strong winds from the E by Mon afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 4 | S 15 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 9 | WSW 6 | S 15 | WSW 10 | W 10 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 28 | 117 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 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 | 7:28AM1.05m | 7:28PM1.26m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 2:53PM0.38m | 3:15AM0.15m | |||||||
— | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | |
8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 7 |
Temp °C | 21 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 15 | — | — | WSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 9 | WSW 3 | WSW 5 | E 3 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 8 | ESE 5 | ESE 4 |
— | 5 | — | — | 41 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 37 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | NE 4 | WSW 6 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 6 | S 14 | S 14 | S 13 | — | — | — | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 |
— | — | — | — | 16 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | S 15 | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | N 3 | NNE 3 | SW 3 | NE 3 | ENE 3 | — | — | NNE 2 | — | — | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | E 6 | E 6 | — | SSW 4 |
31 | 97 | 80 | 166 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 28 | 117 | 282 | 167 | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 246 | 511 | 224 | 246 | 12 | 108 | 108 | 185 | 170 | 271 | 186 | 245 | 250 | 236 | 344 | 263 | 570 | 570 | 246 | 234 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Coast of England | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











