Surf Forecasts:
Swanage surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, WSW swell with 74 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Swanage this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Swanage in the next 16 days are 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Swanage over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a yarn about what’s on the cards for Swanage over the next couple of weeks.
First up, straight off the bat: it’s a pretty dry spell. There’s no real surf to get excited about for most of the forecast period. The first recommendation doesn’t roll around until Wednesday the 19th of August, and even then it’s barely a ripple – just 0.3ft of weak windswell from the west, with a short 8-second period and bugger-all energy (1). The water’s much warmer than usual for this time of year at 70°, which is a nice change, but that’s about the only positive. The wind is offshore, but the swell’s so tiny it’s not worth paddling out for.
Honestly, from Wednesday the 19th right through until the end of the month, it’s a long gap of flat or near-flat conditions. There’s a little spike of energy on Wednesday the 26th of August afternoon – 7ft from the southwest with a 7-second period and moderate wave energy (412) – but the wind is cross-offshore and the surf quality is still rated as poor. That size is getting too big for beginners, but with that short period, it’ll be messy and lumpy, not the kind of clean wall you’d want. It looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The only true standout, and I mean the only one that gets my heart beating, is Monday the 31st of August afternoon. We’ve got 4ft of southwest swell, 11-second period, and the energy is strong at 605. The wind is offshore from the west-northwest, which should keep things clean. That’s a solid groundswell with some legs, and it’s a size that’s good for most surfers – not too big for the average punter, but enough to get a few proper turns in. Keep in mind, with that longer period, it’ll have longer lulls between sets, so paddle outs won’t be too hectic.
There’s also a bit on Tuesday the 1st of September morning: 6ft from the west-southwest, with moderate energy (573) and offshore wind. That’s pushing into the “too big for beginners” zone, but for anyone comfortable in overhead surf, it could be a fun one.
But if I’m being straight with you, the best on offer is that Monday the 31st of August afternoon at Swanage. It’s not perfect, but it’s the cleanest, strongest swell we see in the whole 16-day window. Beyond that, things drop off again into flatness.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Thu morning, light winds from the ESE by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | WSW 5 | S 15 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 9 | S 13 | S 15 | WSW 10 | E 4 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | E 4 | ESE 6 | W 9 | N 3 | W 8 | W 11 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 65 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 12:32PM1.11m | 00:41AM1.03m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:37PM0.52m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | |  | |
 | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — |
 | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 |
Temp °C | 19 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | — | S 15 | — | — | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 9 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 10 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | ESE 3 | — | W 9 | W 9 | E 6 | E 5 | E 4 | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | 5 | — | — | 40 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 40 | 12 | 1 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | — | SW 8 | W 10 | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 11 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 8 | — | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 13 | S 15 | — | W 6 | S 14 | S 14 | S 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | — | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | NNW 3 | NNE 3 | SW 6 | — | E 3 | E 4 | E 4 | NE 2 | — | — | E 4 | ESE 6 | — | N 3 | SW 2 | WSW 4 |
| kJ | 16 | 56 | 100 | 77 | 166 | 3 | 1 | 9 | — | 5 | 8 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 24 | 65 | — | 1 | 1 | 11 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 320 | 246 | 511 | 227 | 227 | 12 | 108 | 108 | 154 | 155 | 250 | 170 | 186 | 505 | 250 | 503 | 597 | 347 | 271 | 246 | 198 |
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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