Swanage Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what Swanage has cookin’ – and I hate to say it, but the pot’s pretty dry. This is a real sheltered spot, and over the next couple of weeks, there’s barely a ripple worth paddling for. The first anything that could be called surf doesn’t show up until Tuesday the 8th of September, and even then, it’s a struggle. There’s a long quiet stretch before that, and most days after are just flat or junk. The water is about 68°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a cruel joke when there’s no waves.

The only time the ocean bothers to show a pulse is around Monday the 7th of September into Tuesday the 8th. Monday afternoon pushes 5ft swell from the WSW, with a period of 13 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell, with some real push behind it (combined energy of 905). But the wind is a cross-off from the WSW at 35 km/h, sky is cloudy, and it’s still called poor. That wind is strong and it’ll mess it up. Not for beginners – that size and period is too much if you’re learning.

Tuesday the 8th morning is your best bet. You’ve got 3ft from the WSW, period of 11 seconds, with a clean offshore wind from the W at 20 km/h. Combined energy sits at 261 – moderate. It’s surfable, barely, and it’s the only real window in the whole run. The break is Swanage itself – and it’s rarely breaks, but when it does, crowds can show up. Not a standout, but if you need a fix, Tuesday morning is it. That long period groundswell might not wrap into this sheltered spot great, but with offshore wind, it could cough up a couple of rides.

After that, it’s back to tiny or flat. Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th are dead. Friday the 11th morning pops up to 5ft, but the period drops to 8 seconds (short period windswell) and the wind is a fresh 30 km/h offshore – messy and blown out. Not worth wetting a wetsuit.

From there, it’s a desert. The rest of the second week and into the third week barely sees 2ft. Saturday the 19th of September morning shows 4ft from the east with a period of 6 seconds and glassy conditions – combined energy of 110 – but it’s a weak windswell on a sheltered spot. It’ll be bumpy and weak.

Honestly, this is a rough spell. Swanage doesn’t fire often, and this forecast is bang on for that. If you’re keen, Tuesday the 8th morning is your only real look. The forecast can always flip, and it usually doesn’t stay this quiet for long.

Rusty.

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