Surf Forecasts:
Swanage surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, WSW swell with 415 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Swanage this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Swanage in the next 16 days are 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Swanage over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, grab a cuppa, because I gotta be straight with you—this stretch is looking pretty bleak for paddling out. Let’s break it down.
The 16-day window kicks off with a bit of hope on Monday the 31st of August, with a 6 ft swell from the WSW and a 9-second period, but it’s got poor surf conditions written all over it. The wind is a fresh 35 km/h offshore, so the surface will be clean, but the wave quality is just not there. The combined energy sits at a moderate 535, but that’s not enough to save it. By the afternoon, the swell drops to 5 ft, same direction, still clean with a moderate breeze, but still poor. The water temp is a whopping 69°F, which is 7°F warmer than normal for this time of year—very unusual, so you’ll be sweating in your wettie.
After that, it’s a long, dry spell. From Tuesday the 1st of September right through to the 13th, there’s barely a ripple. Swells are tiny, often under 1 ft, with weak energy readings mostly in the single or low double digits. The wind flips around but stays cross-offshore or offshore, keeping the water clean, but there’s just no push. The only standout is a brief moment on Tuesday the 8th of September morning, when the wind goes glassy, but the swell is only 1 ft from the SW with a 12-second period—total energy just 64. It’s clean, but not rideable for anyone.
Now, take a look at the 14th of September Monday morning. A tiny 0.3 ft swell from the SW but with a 20-second period—very long, groundswell energy. That’s a bit of a tease. By Monday afternoon, things get more interesting: 2 ft from the SW, 16-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 146. That’s moderate energy, and the wind is cross-offshore, so it’ll be clean. It’s not big, but it’s the best on offer in the whole window. Still, I’d call it a promising but uncertain standout for the long-range.
However, the real head-turner is on Tuesday the 15th of September afternoon. A 7 ft swell from the WSW, but with a short, weak 7-second period. Combined energy is a strong 401, but that short period means it’ll be messy and fat. The wind is a near-gale 50 km/h cross-offshore, so it’ll be a clean, blown-out mess. Too big for beginners, and only for experts if they’re keen. Honestly, that setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Given that Swanage is a sheltered spot and rarely breaks, this blank run isn’t surprising. Consistency is not a friend here. So, fair warning: bring a book, not a board.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Mon morning, light winds from the W by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu afternoon, calm by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | SW 4 | WSW 8 | SW 4 | W 8 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
535 | 327 | 161 | 44 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 10:18AM1.46m | 10:27PM1.58m | 10:52AM1.45m | 11:04PM1.51m | 11:30AM1.40m | 11:45PM1.39m | 12:12PM1.30m | 4:51PM0.75m | 00:31AM1.22m | 5:18AM0.72m | 1:03PM1.16m | 1:32AM1.03m | 6:20AM0.80m | 2:18PM1.03m | 3:30AM0.90m | 7:12AM0.89m | 4:35PM1.04m | ||||
Low Tide | 6:13PM0.18m | 6:33AM0.01m | 6:53PM0.24m | 7:14AM0.12m | 7:37PM0.31m | 7:59AM0.26m | 4:12PM0.75m | 8:27PM0.39m | 4:34AM0.71m | 4:49PM0.80m | 9:30PM0.46m | 4:59AM0.78m | 10:57PM0.47m | 5:28AM0.88m | 00:35AM0.34m | ||||||
6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | |
— | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | — | WSW 8 | — | W 8 | — | — | — | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | SW 14 | WSW 13 | WSW 12 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | E 3 | W 6 |
— | — | 161 | 44 | — | 11 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 10 | WSW 8 | SW 11 | SW 10 | WSW 6 | W 9 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | — | W 10 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | NNW 3 | — | SW 4 | WSW 5 | SW 4 | SW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 4 | NNW 2 | — | — | ESE 3 |
535 | 327 | 1 | — | 12 | 24 | 23 | 76 | 97 | 87 | 160 | 162 | 51 | 56 | 64 | 33 | 11 | 1 | — | — | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 320 | 227 | 2 | 53 | 183 | 110 | 246 | 356 | 223 | 223 | 356 | 141 | 154 | 320 | 246 | 137 | 216 | 125 | 108 | 108 | 108 |
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.











