Surf Forecasts:
Swanage surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 7s period, WSW swell with 530 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Swanage this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Swanage in the next 16 days are 2.4m 7s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Swanage over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks here. Straight up, I gotta tell ya, it’s a pretty grim run for Swanage. There’s a massive hole at the start – nothing worth paddling out for at all for the first several days. The whole 16-day window is a write-off for decent waves, so don't be holding your breath.
We kick off on Sunday the 23rd of August, and honestly, it’s flat. Tiny little 0.3ft slop from the south, with a light cross-onshore breeze. The water’s sitting at a very unusual 69°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s about the only notable thing. The wave energy is basically zero (6).
We go straight through to Monday the 24th with a strong onshore easterly at 25 mph and a weak, choppy 6ft windswell, but the period is a shocking 6 seconds, so it’s all mess and no power. That kind of size and onshore wind is just a horrible combo. The energy is moderate at best (215), but the quality is terrible. It’s a no-go.
Tuesday the 25th sees a bit of a drop in size, but we’re still dealing with a fresh onshore breeze and that same short-period slop. Wednesday the 26th through to Friday the 28th finally see a bit of a clean-up with some cross-offshore winds, but the swell is tiny – nothing over 4ft, and mostly below 2ft. The energy is weak (as low as 6), and it’s just not enough to get a proper wave.
Now, there’s a slight spike on Saturday the 29th of August. We get a 6ft to 8ft west-southwest swell with a strong offshore wind. Sounds good, right? Well, the period is still a short 6 to 7 seconds, and the wave energy gets up to 530. But the problem is, it’s a beach break with that short period, and at 8ft, it’s really only for the experts. The strong offshore wind will make it clean, but it’ll be a battle to get out and the waves will be a bit of a close-out mess.
Sunday the 30th is a drop-off again, with a tiny 3ft swell and moderate offshore wind. Monday the 31st has a 4ft to 7ft west-southwest swell, but again, it’s short period and the energy (184 to 319) is moderate. It’s clean, but it’s not inspiring.
After that, from Tuesday the 1st of September all the way to Monday the 7th, it’s just tiny. We’re talking 0.7ft to 3ft, with occasional cross-offshore winds but no real swell. The energy is consistently weak (2 to 38). The last few days see some cross-onshore winds and no swell at all.
To be honest, there’s nothing here to get excited about. For a spot that’s already very sheltered and rarely breaks, this is a proper blank run. The set-up looks far more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, given the onshore wind days and the generally weak, short-period swell. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d leave the board in the car.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the E on Mon morning, calm by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Wed night, fresh winds from the WSW by Fri afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 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) | S 14 | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | E 6 | SW 9 | SW 9 | E 6 | E 5 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | S 4 | ESE 4 | SW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 7 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | WSW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
4 | 8 | 39 | 200 | 3 | 3 | 111 | 40 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 169 | 95 | 65 | 105 | 384 | 257 | 530 | 213 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 6:30PM1.05m | 7:00AM0.97m | 7:00PM1.16m | 7:28AM1.05m | 7:28PM1.26m | 7:55AM1.13m | 7:55PM1.37m | 8:21AM1.22m | 8:22PM1.46m | 8:47AM1.30m | 8:50PM1.53m | 9:15AM1.38m | 9:20PM1.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:46PM0.58m | 2:17AM0.41m | 2:22PM0.48m | 2:47AM0.28m | 2:53PM0.38m | 3:15AM0.15m | 3:22PM0.30m | 3:44AM0.04m | 3:53PM0.23m | 4:14AM-0.05m | 4:25PM0.18m | 4:46AM-0.10m | 4:59PM0.16m | ||||||||
6:07 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | |
— | 8:13 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:01 | — | — | 8:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 17 |
Feels °C | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 4 | SW 14 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 8 | ESE 4 | E 4 | S 4 | SW 4 | ESE 4 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — |
1 | 8 | 19 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 169 | 95 | 65 | 3 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | W 11 | — | SW 8 | SSW 8 | WSW 4 | SW 7 | SW 9 | SE 4 | SW 10 | — | W 12 | — | — | — | — |
2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 11 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 2 | 35 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 14 | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 8 | — | W 9 | SW 7 | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
4 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ESE 4 | ESE 5 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | — | SSW 3 | — | ESE 4 | SSW 4 | — | — | S 4 | SW 7 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | WSW 6 |
— | 6 | 39 | 200 | 324 | 291 | 111 | 40 | — | 2 | — | 9 | 5 | — | — | 9 | 105 | 384 | 257 | 530 | 213 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 186 | 209 | 186 | 570 | 222 | 226 | 100 | 240 | 170 | 170 | 186 | 247 | 198 | 108 | 69 | 100 | 398 | 441 | 484 | 184 | 226 |
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.











