Surf Forecasts:
Swanage surf forecast from 7 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 8 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 12s period, WSW swell with 341 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 12s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 08) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 07) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Tue 8th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Swanage over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it.
First up, I’ve got to be honest with you – the next couple of weeks look pretty bleak for a paddle. The guidance is clear: there’s just nothing on offer for a proper surf session. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with no real swell to speak of. The first solid recommendation doesn’t even pop up until the very end of the forecast, and even then it’s a stretch.
Right now, starting Monday the 7th, we’ve got a bit of energy in the water from a SW swell at Swanage, but it’s tiny – only 1 ft on the morning with a 15-second period. That long period is a groundswell, but the combined energy is weak (75) and the wind is howling from the WSW at 16 mph, putting it offshore. The water is a whopping 68°F, which is a massive 6°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual, but it’s about the only highlight. The surf is just poor. That afternoon, the swell bumps up to 4 ft from the SW with a 13-second period, and the energy climbs to a moderate 766, but the wind goes cross-offshore and the conditions are still rated as poor. It’s a no-go.
Tuesday the 8th through to the middle of the month is a total write-off. We’re looking at swells that barely break 2 ft, periods dropping under 10 seconds, and combined energy values that are almost all below 100 – weak stuff. The wind is mostly offshore or cross-off, but it’s not enough to save the day. The surf is consistently poor. There’s a gap of about 12 days here where you’re better off doing something else.
We finally get a tiny flicker of life on Sunday the 20th. The morning shows a 4 ft swell from the NE, but with a period of only 4 seconds and a combined energy of 52, it’s just messy. The wind is cross-offshore from the WSW at 12 mph. It’s still poor surf. The afternoon turns into a risk of thunderstorms with a stiff 22 mph SW wind. Not worth wetting a wetsuit for.
The long and short of it is this: Swanage is a very sheltered spot, and it’s just not firing. The consistency is rarely there, and this stretch is a classic example of a blank run. Forecasts can change, but for now, leave the boards in the shed.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 17mm), heaviest on Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Tue afternoon, calm by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 20°C on Fri afternoon, min 14°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (calm on Fri night, fresh winds from the SW by Sat night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 10 | SW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | W 14 | W 10 | SW 10 | WSW 9 | SW 5 |
Wave Graph  | ||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 472 | 69 | 46 | 92 | 27 | 80 | 46 | 17 | 15 | 21 | 5 | 9 | 79 | 45 | 22 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 28 | 13 |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:53PM1.17m | 6:45AM1.10m | 6:39PM1.31m | 7:19AM1.22m | 7:19PM1.45m | 7:54AM1.32m | 7:58PM1.55m | 8:29AM1.41m | 8:35PM1.60m | 9:04AM1.46m | 9:12PM1.60m | 9:38AM1.48m | 9:49PM1.56m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:42AM0.14m | 2:04PM0.28m | 2:32AM-0.05m | 2:52PM0.15m | 3:17AM-0.19m | 3:35PM0.05m | 3:58AM-0.26m | 4:16PM0.00m | 4:37AM-0.26m | 4:55PM0.00m | 5:15AM-0.18m | 5:34PM0.04m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  |  | | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — |
 | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:34 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:29 | — | — | 7:27 | — |
mm | — | 8 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 15 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | SW 12 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SW 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 10 | — | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | W 11 | W 10 | SW 10 | WSW 9 | SW 5 |
| kJ | 249 | 69 | 46 | 92 | 27 | 80 | 46 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 5 | 9 | — | 45 | 22 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 28 | 13 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 4 | W 12 | W 12 | W 11 | WSW 7 | — | — | W 16 | W 14 | — | — | — | SW 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 13 | WSW 5 | SW 5 | NW 3 | W 5 | — | — | — | — | WSW 7 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | SW 9 | NW 2 | — | WSW 3 | WSW 4 | WSW 5 | WSW 5 | — |
| kJ | 472 | 66 | 35 | 3 | 45 | — | — | — | — | 21 | 15 | 32 | 79 | 1 | — | 7 | 39 | 44 | 32 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 227 | 179 | 2 | 12 | 318 | 137 | 12 | 137 | 155 | 137 | 246 | 118 | 137 | 108 | 100 | 47 | 110 | 155 | 302 | 110 |
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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