Swanage Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this is a tough one.

We’re looking at Swanage for the next 16 days, and honestly, the surf is pretty much a no-show. The whole forecast period is a long, flat spell. There are no standout days, no real swell to speak of. The first real chance of any wave energy doesn’t even show up until the very end of the run, and even then it’s a long shot. You’re looking at a solid two-week wait before anything remotely interesting pops up.

Swanage is a very sheltered spot, and it’s rarely breaking anyway, so this kind of blank run is more normal for the area. The water is currently sitting at 67°, which is a solid 6° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual, like stepping into a bath.

Let’s break it down. From Sunday the 19th right through to the end of July, the swell is tiny. We’re talking 0.3 ft to 2 ft at best, with periods so short (4 to 8 seconds) they’re just wind slop. The energy numbers are all in single digits, barely reaching 7 (combined energy of all swells directed here: 7). The wind is often cross-on or cross-off, but it doesn’t matter because there’s nothing to ride. The first few days of August are more of the same – flat, clean, and frustrating. A few mornings show glassy conditions, like Monday the 27th of July, but with a 1 ft, 4-second swell, it’s just a smooth lake.

Finally, on Monday the 3rd of August, we see a tiny pulse. A morning session shows a 4 ft swell from the east, with a 6-second period and a combined energy of 82. That’s weak, marginal energy. The wind is a cross-onshore from the NNE at 12 mph, making it choppy. This is not a surfer’s wave. It’s a short-period, wind-affected bump.

The afternoon of the 3rd of August cleans up a bit with a cross-offshore SW wind, but the swell drops to 3 ft from the ESE, period of 5 seconds, and energy of 34. It’s clean, but it’s tiny and weak.

So, what’s the best on offer? If you’re desperate, the afternoon of Monday the 3rd of August is your only real shot. It’s clean, but it’s a micro-swell. For a break that’s already inconsistent, this is pretty much a write-off. The setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer on those few days with any breeze.

Keep your expectations on the floor. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a long, flat wait.

Rusty.

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