Surf Forecasts:
Swanage surf forecast from 23 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 27 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 8s period, WSW swell with 20 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Swanage this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Swanage in the next 16 days are 0.6m 5s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 27) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Mon 27th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Swanage over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watching this patch of coast for a long time. The next 16 days are a proper drought for decent surf. I’m not going to sugar-coat it—there’s almost nothing to get excited about, and the tape is mostly blank. The first real pulse of energy doesn’t show up until the morning of Sunday, 2 August, and that’s the only window worth a mention.
Let’s get into it. From now through the end of July, it’s flat and frustrating. The wind does swing offshore a few times—like Saturday morning, 25 July, with a light Westerly offshore and a tiny 0.7ft ripple, but the swell is basically non-existent. The combined wave energy sits at pitiful single-digit numbers (1–5). Even the glassy spells on Friday morning, 24 July, and Monday morning, 27 July, can’t conjure up a wave. It’s a dead zone.
Then we hit Sunday, 2 August. Finally, a real swell arrives. Swanage picks up a 7ft swell from the WSW, with a period of 10 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 688 (moderate wave energy). That’s the biggest pulse of the whole forecast. The water temperature is 68°, which is a massive 7° warmer than usual for this time of year—that’s very unusual, and it’ll feel like a warm bath. The morning wind is a light NW breeze, giving a cross-offshore clean-up. This is the only standout of the fortnight. However, at 7ft, it’s getting into the size that’s really only for experienced surfers—beginners will find it too big. The period is 10 seconds, which is a solid mid-range groundswell, so you’ll get decent shape and some push, but be aware that long-period swells can straighten out at beach breaks. Swanage is a very sheltered, rarely-breaking spot, so this is a rare event. Crowds are sometimes an issue, so expect company.
The afternoon of Sunday, 2 August, drops to 5ft, still from the WSW with a period of 9 seconds, but the wind swings SSW at 12 mph, staying cross-offshore. The energy drops to 422. It’s still surfable, but not as clean as the morning.
After that, Monday, 3 August, brings a messy 6ft, short-period swell (6 seconds) from the WSW, with glassy conditions in the morning due to light rain and a NE wind. The energy is 268. It’s ordinary, and the short period means weak, crumbly waves. Then it’s back to tiny, poor surf for the rest of the run.
Bottom line: there’s one real shot, and it’s Sunday, 2 August, early. If you’re an experienced surfer, get on it. For everyone else, it’s a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Fri afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, fresh winds from the WSW by Sat afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 9 | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 3 | W 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | W 8 | WSW 4 | WSW 8 | WSW 5 | WSW 7 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | E 5 | W 11 | W 10 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 20 | 6 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 2 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:00PM1.00m | 5:14AM0.88m | 5:47PM1.05m | 6:09AM0.93m | 6:28PM1.11m | 6:52AM0.99m | 7:06PM1.19m | 7:30AM1.05m | 7:41PM1.27m | 8:05AM1.11m | 8:13PM1.36m | 8:37AM1.17m | 8:43PM1.43m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:52AM0.57m | 00:41AM0.60m | 12:56PM0.59m | 1:51AM0.49m | 2:00PM0.52m | 2:34AM0.37m | 2:42PM0.43m | 3:10AM0.26m | 3:17PM0.36m | 3:42AM0.16m | 3:49PM0.30m | 4:13AM0.07m | 4:20PM0.26m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:06 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:02 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 23 |
Feels °C | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 3 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | WSW 7 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | SW 5 | ESE 4 | E 5 | E 4 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 5 | — | 20 | 6 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 3 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | — | — | — | — | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | NE 4 | W 9 | — | W 6 | — | — | — | W 10 |
| kJ | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 19 | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | W 11 | W 11 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 2 | WNW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 4 | WSW 4 | NW 3 | N 3 | SW 3 | — | ESE 2 | ESE 3 | — | E 5 | — | NW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 18 | 42 | 16 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 4 | — | 1 | 4 | — | 11 | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 217 | 713 | 372 | 613 | 804 | 530 | 582 | 460 | 578 | 732 | 185 | 166 | 247 | 238 | 184 | 137 | 247 | 250 | 252 | 226 | 112 |
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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