Surf Forecasts:
Swanage surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s period, SW swell with 440 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 7s 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 Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Swanage in the next 16 days are 2.2m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Swanage over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let me level with you straight up about the local scene. This 16-day window is a tough one. We've got a long, quiet stretch before we see anything that's really worth paddling out for.
The next several days are flat and grim. From Thursday the 20th right through to the end of the month, it's a write-off. The swell energy is zero (0) on the 20th, the wind is howling, and what little bump shows up is messy and weak. We’re staring down the barrel of more than a week with hardly anything to offer.
It’s not until the 30th of August that we see a proper pulse of energy, and even then, it comes with some serious caveats. The standout to keep an eye on is Swanage. On the morning of Sunday the 30th, a 7ft swell from the SW with moderate wave energy (445) is forecast. The wind is cross-offshore, which cleans things up, and the period is 7 seconds. That setup could show a few fun walls if you pick your moment. But at over 5ft, it’s stepping into intermediate territory, and for a spot that’s very sheltered and rarely breaks, this is about as good as it gets. The water temp is about normal for the time of year.
After that, it tails off again. We get a few clean, blown-out mornings in early September, like Tuesday the 1st and Wednesday the 2nd, but those are tiny 2ft swells with weak energy (60 and 34). They’re clean and offshore, but they’re not going to get your heart racing.
So, the honest call: there’s one window on Sunday the 30th that’s worth a look for the more experienced crew. Otherwise, it’s a long, flat wait. When a spot that’s this inconsistent lights up, you have to take notice. Keep the board waxed for a day of hope, but don’t plan your life around it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu morning, calm by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun night, strong winds from the ENE by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 9 | WSW 6 | E 4 | WSW 10 | W 10 | S 14 | S 13 | WSW 10 | E 6 | SW 9 | S 11 | E 5 | SE 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 8 | SW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 47 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 163 | 3 | 3 | 54 | 28 | 0 | 170 | 18 | 116 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross | cross-on | off | cross-on | on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 1:16PM0.98m | 1:28AM0.87m | 5:02PM0.89m | 5:56AM0.83m | 5:56PM0.96m | 6:31AM0.89m | 6:30PM1.05m | 7:00AM0.97m | 7:00PM1.16m | 7:28AM1.05m | 7:28PM1.26m | 7:55AM1.13m | 7:55PM1.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:50AM0.52m | 9:27PM0.63m | 9:38AM0.65m | 11:44PM0.68m | 12:36PM0.69m | 1:41AM0.55m | 1:46PM0.58m | 2:17AM0.41m | 2:22PM0.48m | 2:47AM0.28m | 2:53PM0.38m | 3:15AM0.15m | 3:22PM0.30m | 3:44AM0.04m | |||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | |  | |
 | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 4 | 35 |
Temp °C | 18 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 9 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | ESE 4 | — | W 9 | — | WSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | — | — | SE 4 | SW 8 |
| kJ | — | — | 47 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | — | 2 | — | 10 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 11 | — | — | 10 | 116 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | — | SW 8 | W 10 | WSW 10 | W 10 | — | W 9 | — | — | — | S 11 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | — | — | SW 8 | SE 5 |
| kJ | — | — | 16 | 8 | — | 3 | 2 | 9 | 2 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 7 | 7 | — | — | 18 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | — | W 6 | S 14 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | W 9 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | NNW 3 | NNE 3 | WSW 6 | — | E 4 | E 4 | — | — | — | E 3 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | SE 5 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | S 4 |
| kJ | 77 | 143 | 3 | 3 | 14 | — | 9 | 7 | — | — | — | 2 | 163 | 288 | 212 | 54 | 28 | 181 | 170 | 69 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 491 | 246 | 12 | 155 | 108 | 154 | 154 | 209 | 186 | 236 | 250 | 170 | 378 | 260 | 280 | 108 | 226 | 110 | 108 | 133 | 2 |
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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