Swanage Surf Break

Lat Long: 50.61° N 1.96° W

Swanage Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 pm 25 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Swanage sea temperature is
20.5°C
3.8° 

Swanage surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Swanage surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 7s period, SW swell with 784 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 9s 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 Sunday (Aug 30) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Swanage in the next 16 days are 2.5m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 7PM. 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 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Sun 30th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Best Surf 4AM (Sun 30th Aug)6ft (1.8m) 9s
Most Powerful 7PM (Sat 29th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 7s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Swanage over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

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.

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 5-7 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Mainly strong winds.

Tue
25
Wednesday
26
Thursday
27
Friday
28
Saturday
29
Sunday
30
Monday
31
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1
E
5
0.3
SW
8
0.2
SSW
8
0.1
SW
7
0.6
E
3
0.5
SE
4
0.1
W
8
1
SW
7
1
SW
7
1.1
SW
4
1.4
WSW
6
2.5
SW
7
2.5
SW
7
2.1
SW
8
1.4
SW
9
1.3
WSW
9
0.6
SW
8
0.4
WSW
7
0.5
SW
7
0.6
WSW
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
55
11
6
2
8
9
1
104
107
0
0
754
641
567
343
274
51
21
27
36
Wind (km/h)
25
ESE
5
S
10
SSW
15
SSE
20
E
20
SW
25
SW
15
WSW
30
WSW
30
WSW
25
WSW
40
SW
45
SW
40
W
20
SW
25
SSW
30
WSW
30
WNW
25
W
20
WSW
Wind State
on
cross
cross-off
cross-on
on
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
cross-off
off
cross-off
off
off
High Tide
7:28PM1.26m
7:55AM1.13m
7:55PM1.37m
8:21AM1.22m
8:22PM1.46m
8:47AM1.30m
8:50PM1.53m
9:15AM1.38m
9:20PM1.59m
9:45AM1.43m
9:52PM1.60m
10:18AM1.46m
10:27PM1.58m
Low Tide
3:15AM0.15m
3:22PM0.30m
3:44AM0.04m
3:53PM0.23m
4:14AM-0.05m
4:25PM0.18m
4:46AM-0.10m
4:59PM0.16m
5:20AM-0.11m
5:35PM0.16m
5:55AM-0.07m
6:13PM0.18m
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
cloud
cloud
light rain
thunderstorm
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:13
6:13
6:16
6:16
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:07
8:06
8:04
8:01
8:00
7:58
7:55
 mm
2
2
2
1
4
2
2
Temp °C
20
19
19
20
20
19
19
17
19
19
18
19
20
17
19
20
17
17
18
17
Feels °C
16
18
19
20
19
15
15
15
14
14
15
14
14
10
16
16
12
11
12
13
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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