Surf Forecasts:
Swanage surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 31 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period, WSW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, SW swell with 1,611 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 31 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 9s period with WSW 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 4PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 4PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Swanage over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you – it's looking proper flat and grim out there for the next couple of weeks. We've got a long stretch of nothing on the cards, so if you're jonesing for a wave, you might want to pick up a different hobby for a bit.
Looking at the whole 16-day window from the 28th of August through the 12th of September, there's just no real surf to get excited about. We've got a massive gap with absolutely nothing on offer for the first few days, and even when a bit of swell tries to show up, it's all wrong for our setup. It's a tough stretch, but this kind of blank run isn't unusual around here, so don't go smashing your board just yet.
The first bit of significant swell shows up on Saturday the 29th, with a reading of 12ft from the southwest, but the period is a short 8 seconds, and the wind is howling at 31 mph. The combined energy is strong, at 1352, but with that kind of wind, it's gunna be a brutal, blown-out mess. Not worth the paddle. Then Sunday the 30th is cleaner with a 4ft southwest swell and lighter winds, but the energy is moderate at 249, and it's still not doing our little corner any favors. We get a few more days of knee-high dribble from the west-southwest, with some decent offshore winds, especially on Monday the 31st with a 6ft swell and 19 mph offshore wind. But again, the period is short and the location just isn't picking it up. The energy is only moderate at 466. It's just not coming together.
The water is currently about 69°, which is a massive 7° warmer than usual for this time of year. That is very unusual, so if you do brave it for a paddle, you won't need the thickest suit.
As for a standout, there isn't one. If I had to point to the best of a bad bunch, it would be Monday morning the 31st. There's a 6ft southwest swell, with a fresh offshore west wind, which will at least clean up the surface. But it's a short-period swell, and Swanage just isn't going to hold it well. The energy is moderate at 466, and even then, the reports call the conditions "very ordinary." For the rest of the window, we're looking at waves under 2ft, if any, and a lot of flat days.
The long-range stuff around September 11th and 12th shows some tiny westerly swells with longer periods of 10-13 seconds, but the size is next to nothing at 0.3ft. Hardly worth a mention, it's that small.
Honestly, this is a kite-surfing kind of forecast, not a surfing one. With the strong winds and the surf being poor, the bay might look more interesting for the kite crew. There's just no quality paddle surfing to be had. Keep the board in the car, grab a coffee, and wait for the next proper groundswell. Forecasts can change, so don't lose hope, but this one looks done for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Sat morning. Warm (max 20°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Sat afternoon, moderate winds from the WSW by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | |||||||||||||||
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 4 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 8 | WSW 10 | SW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | SW 6 | SW 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | S 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 182 | 0 | 1352 | 1102 | 249 | 103 | 562 | 466 | 370 | 147 | 73 | 0 | 15 | 8 | 0 | 254 | 0 | 246 | 4 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 8:50PM1.53m | 9:15AM1.38m | 9:20PM1.59m | 9:45AM1.43m | 9:52PM1.60m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:25PM0.18m | 4:46AM-0.10m | 4:59PM0.16m | 5:20AM-0.11m | 5:35PM0.16m | 5:55AM-0.07m | 6:13PM0.18m | 6:33AM0.01m | 6:53PM0.24m | 7:14AM0.12m | 7:37PM0.31m | 7:59AM0.26m | 4:12PM0.75m | 8:27PM0.39m | |||||||
6:13 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:53 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | 11 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 8 | — | — | — | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | — | WSW 5 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | S 14 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 103 | — | — | — | 147 | 73 | — | 15 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 4 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 4 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 8 | WSW 10 | SW 9 | SW 5 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | — | — | WSW 4 | NNW 2 | — | SW 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 |
18 | 243 | 182 | 243 | 1352 | 1102 | 249 | 98 | 562 | 466 | 370 | — | — | 24 | 1 | — | 12 | 254 | 123 | 246 | 148 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 356 | 110 | 420 | 338 | 184 | 110 | 173 | 607 | 227 | 80 | 0 | 2 | 55 | 246 | 135 | 344 | 246 | 323 | 216 | 246 | 320 |
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.











