Surf Forecasts:
Swanage surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 11 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, E swell with 119 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Swanage this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Swanage in the next 16 days are 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 11) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.8m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Tue 11th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Swanage over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s be straight with you. I’ve looked at the charts for our stretch of coast, and I’ve got to be honest, it’s a pretty grim picture for the next couple of weeks. The swell window is just about shut, and what little energy rolls in is getting chopped up by wind or just doesn’t have any push. We’re looking at a long stretch of flat, gutless conditions.
The first week is basically a write-off. Waves are tiny, if they show at all. There’s a little bump mid-week, but it’s short-period windswell from the east, blowing straight onshore and making a mess of things. The water is warm, mind you—about 69°, which is a solid 7° warmer than usual for this time of year. That’s a real standout, but it’s not going to make a flat ocean any more fun.
The only real spot to even talk about is Swanage, but it’s a rare break to begin with, and there’s just nothing for it. The swell energy is weak, and the direction is wrong. It’s a very sheltered spot, which is a blessing and a curse. It needs a good, clean swell to light up, and we’re just not getting it.
There’s a slight tease on Thursday the 20th. We finally see a bit more energy in the water, with a moderate combined swell energy (145) and a clean, offshore wind. But the swell height is still small and the period is short. It’s not going to be a day for the history books, just a chance to get the board wet in cleaner conditions than we’ve had.
After that, it’s back to the flat spell until the end of the period. The last few days of the forecast show a long-period groundswell trying to fill in, but the height is tiny and the winds are onshore. It’s nothing to get excited about, and it’s a week and a half away, so take it with a grain of salt.
So, bottom line: there’s no real surf on offer in this 16-day window. The spot is inconsistent and the conditions are against us. But, it’s early August and the water is warm. It’s the kind of flat spell that can break at any time. The forecasts can change, so I wouldn’t lose all hope, but for now, the paddleboard is looking more useful than the surfboard.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 18°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Tue night, calm by Thu morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 4 | WSW 7 | SW 7 | SW 7 | E 5 | E 5 | W 12 | ESE 6 | E 5 | E 5 | SW 9 | WSW 4 | WSW 10 | W 5 | WSW 9 | WSW 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 53 | 66 | 3 | 94 | 51 | 55 | 20 | 0 | 9 | 14 | 27 | 6 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 4:46PM1.10m | 5:27AM1.02m | 5:56PM1.21m | 6:32AM1.12m | 6:47PM1.35m | 7:21AM1.22m | 7:32PM1.48m | 8:05AM1.30m | 8:14PM1.59m | 8:47AM1.36m | 8:54PM1.65m | 9:26AM1.39m | 9:33PM1.65m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:44AM0.48m | 00:49AM0.41m | 1:16PM0.40m | 1:58AM0.20m | 2:18PM0.27m | 2:50AM-0.02m | 3:08PM0.15m | 3:36AM-0.19m | 3:53PM0.06m | 4:19AM-0.30m | 4:36PM0.02m | 5:01AM-0.34m | 5:17PM0.03m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:43 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — |
 | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 27 | 24 | 28 | 29 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 22 |
Feels °C | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 8 | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | E 4 | WSW 4 | WSW 7 | SW 7 | SW 7 | WSW 7 | SW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | E 5 | ESE 4 | WSW 10 | W 5 | WSW 9 | WSW 4 |
| kJ | — | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 10 | 17 | 16 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 27 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 6 | — | W 7 | SW 7 | W 9 | SW 6 | W 4 | — | WSW 3 | W 10 | W 10 | W 12 | W 6 | W 6 | — | SW 9 | — | — | WSW 9 | — | WSW 8 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 20 | — | — | 8 | — | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 8 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 2 | — | — | SW 3 | NNW 2 | — | SW 2 | — | E 5 | E 5 | E 6 | ESE 6 | E 5 | E 5 | — | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | NW 3 | WSW 3 | N 3 |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 53 | 66 | 251 | 94 | 51 | 55 | — | 23 | 37 | 3 | 8 | 5 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 327 | 280 | 250 | 318 | 594 | 247 | 244 | 250 | 250 | 324 | 572 | 170 | 246 | 117 | 12 | 137 | 271 | 153 | 154 | 339 | 194 |
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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