Swanage Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Swanage has in store. I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough read for the next couple of weeks. The water’s sitting at a very unusual 68°F right now, much warmer than normal for the time of year, but that’s about the only exciting thing.

We kick off this Sunday morning, the 6th of September, with barely a ripple. The swell is tiny at 0.7ft from the WSW, with a short period of 7 seconds and the combined energy is weak at just 10. The wind is a cross-onshore from the SSE at 12 mph, making it choppy. Not worth paddling out for.

Monday the 7th shows a bit of promise early. The morning sees a clean 1ft SW groundswell, and the wind is offshore from the W at 12 mph. The period is a very long 15 seconds, which means proper lines and easy paddling, but the combined energy is still low at 76. It’s rideable for the patient surfer on a log, but nothing to get excited about. By the afternoon, the swell jumps to 3ft from the SW with a solid 13-second period and the energy jumps to 596 (moderate). The wind is a cross-offshore at 19 mph, keeping things clean. This is probably the best we see for a while, but the file says "poor surf conditions," so manage your expectations. It’s a standout only because everything else is worse.

Tuesday the 8th is a morning-only window. We’ve got 4ft from the WSW, offshore wind from the W at 16 mph, but the period drops to a short 6 seconds. The energy is moderate at 136, but that short period will make it a bit fat and weak. The afternoon goes flat.

From Wednesday the 9th through to the end of the period, we’re looking at a long stretch of tiny waves. Most days show swell heights of 0.3ft to 2ft, with the combined energy rarely breaking past 100. There are a few moments with clean conditions and offshore winds – like Wednesday afternoon the 9th (1.0ft, 9 seconds, 15 energy) or the morning of Friday the 11th (3ft but short 6 seconds, 68 energy) – but the size is just too small for a decent session.

Sunday the 13th afternoon sees a little pulse: 2ft from the WSW with a 9-second period and 153 energy. It’s clean with a cross-offshore wind, but again, it’s marginal at best. After that, it’s a long grind of tiny surf, with the 18th of September offering a tiny 2ft morning with offshore wind, but the period is only 7 seconds.

Look, Swanage is a very sheltered spot and "rarely breaks" as it is. This forecast is a blank run. The surf just isn’t there. For a place that’s this inconsistent, a poor run like this is pretty normal. Don't hold your breath – forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a long wait for anything rideable.

Rusty.

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