Swanage Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – if you’re looking for a surf in the Swanage area over the next two weeks, you’re gonna be waiting a long time. We’ve got a big fat gap of nothing worth paddling out for. The first real sniff of anything comes right at the end of the period, and even then, it’s a bit of a gamble.

Right now, and for the next several days, it’s basically flat. You’ll see tiny ankle-sloshers on the 18th of July at 0.3 ft, but with glassy conditions and a combined energy of just 2, it’s not even worth dragging your board down to the water. The whole stretch from the 18th right through to the 29th of July is a write-off. We’re talking days and days of waves under 2 ft, weak energy readings mostly in the single digits, and a lot of onshore or cross-shore wind. The only positive is that on the 22nd and 24th we get some glassy mornings, but with no swell, it’s just a pretty lake.

The water temp is sitting at 67°F on the 18th, which is a whopping 6°F warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s very unusual, almost like a bath, but it won’t help the lack of waves.

Finally, on the morning of the 29th of July, we get a pulse. It’s a 4 ft SW swell with a 6-second period. The combined energy jumps to 98 (moderate wave energy), and the wind is glassy from the SW. That’s the best of the whole run, but it’s touch-and-go. The period is short, so it’ll be a bit lumpy and weak. Swanage itself is a very sheltered spot and rarely breaks, so seeing *any* activity is a bit of a miracle. You’ll need a keen eye and a forgiving board.

If you miss that, the 30th of July brings a bigger 6 ft SW swell with a 6-second period and a solid 303 combined energy (strong wave energy), but the wind is a fresh offshore from the WSW. That’s a lot of wind for a small, sheltered beach break. It’s gonna be choppy and blown out, even if the wind direction is offshore. Honestly, that setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer.

The rest of the window into the first few days of August is just small, weak pulses with fresh winds. Don’t hold your breath.

So, the standout? It’s the 29th of July morning. That 4 ft glassy pulse is the only real chance you’ve got. After a week and a half of flatness, it’s something, but keep your expectations low. It’s a rare event for a spot that rarely breaks.

Rusty.

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