Surf Forecasts:
Swanage surf forecast from 29 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 3 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period, ENE swell with 59 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Swanage this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Swanage in the next 16 days are 1.1m 5s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 30) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Swanage over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get into it. I’m looking at the whole 16-day window for Swanage, and I’ll be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. The bay is super sheltered, and that’s a blessing when the swell is pumping, but a curse when it’s not. We’ve got a long, dry run here.
The first record kicks off on Wednesday, July 29th, but there’s no surf to speak of. The combined wave energy is a measly 0 to 3 (zero to three), and it’s just wind ripples or clean but flat water. That pattern sticks. Day after day, the swell heights are 0.3ft to 0.7ft, with the occasional 1ft. The periods are all over the place – some short 5-second stuff, some longer 11-second pulses – but there’s just no push behind them. The energy readings are all double-digit zeros or low single digits, with the highest early on being 14 (fourteen) on Sunday, August 2nd morning, but that’s a 0.7ft, 8-second swell with a cross-onshore wind. It’s poor.
We get a little spike in energy on Monday, August 3rd morning, with a 4ft swell from the ENE, but it’s a short-period 5-second windswell, and the wind is cross-onshore, making it choppy. The energy is 79 (seventy-nine), which is still weak. It’s a no-go. That’s the biggest number we see for days.
The pattern of “poor surf conditions” and zero scores continues all the way through to Thursday, August 13th. There are no standout days, no windows where the wind lines up with a decent swell. The only break on offer is Swanage itself, which rarely breaks at the best of times, and it’s living up to that reputation. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, but honestly, with this outlook, you’ll have the place to yourself.
The water temperature isn’t mentioned in the surf data, but given the time of year, expect it to be about average for the season.
So, the bottom line: there is nothing to recommend across the entire 16-day forecast period. It’s a flat spell. The only thing worth noting is that on Saturday, August 8th afternoon, the wind goes light and cross-offshore, but the swell is a 1ft from the north with a 3-second period. You might get a knee-high ripple, but it’s not surfing. This is a tough area for consistency, and this run proves it. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d leave the boards at home.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | |||||||||||||||
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) | — | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | W 9 | W 12 | W 10 | SW 10 | WSW 9 | NE 4 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | ENE 5 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 7 | WSW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 59 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 8 | 5 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:37AM1.17m | 8:43PM1.43m | 9:08AM1.21m | 9:13PM1.49m | 9:38AM1.25m | 9:43PM1.53m | 10:09AM1.29m | 10:14PM1.54m | 10:42AM1.32m | 10:47PM1.53m | 11:17AM1.32m | 11:23PM1.47m | 11:56AM1.29m | 00:04AM1.38m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:13AM0.07m | 4:20PM0.26m | 4:44AM0.00m | 4:52PM0.24m | 5:16AM-0.05m | 5:25PM0.23m | 5:48AM-0.06m | 6:00PM0.25m | 6:22AM-0.04m | 6:36PM0.29m | 6:57AM0.01m | 7:14PM0.34m | 7:35AM0.09m | 7:56PM0.40m | |||||||
 | |  | |  | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:28 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — |
 | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:47 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | — | W 12 | SW 4 | SW 10 | WSW 4 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | SW 9 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | SW 7 | WSW 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 20 | 31 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | NE 4 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | WSW 9 | — | ENE 3 | W 3 | — | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | E 4 | — |
| kJ | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 8 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 18 | 17 | 14 | 3 | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 9 |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | NNW 3 | NNE 3 | WSW 3 | WNW 4 | WNW 3 | WSW 4 | NNW 3 | NE 4 | — | — | ENE 5 | — | — | E 5 | — | — |
| kJ | — | 3 | 15 | 6 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 6 | — | — | 59 | — | — | 12 | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 253 | 246 | 246 | 320 | 344 | 244 | 252 | 344 | 252 | 252 | 108 | 250 | 271 | 250 | 170 | 217 | 55 | 516 | 252 | 899 | 330 |
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.
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