Swanage Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get this straight. For Swanage, the honest truth is that over the next 16 days, there’s no surf worth paddling out for. The finder shows zero recommendations, and looking at the guidance, Swanage is a rarely breaks, very sheltered spot. So this kind of blank run is pretty normal for here.

We’ve got a few pulses of swell, but they’re all wrapped in bad wind or poor conditions. Thursday the 27th morning has a tiny 0.3ft W swell with a short 8-second period, combined energy of just 1 – that’s weak. And it’s blowing 12 mph cross-offshore with a risk of thunderstorms. Not worth it.

Friday the 28th afternoon sees a jump to 7ft WSW swell, but the period is only 6 seconds, so it’s junky windswell. Energy hits 309 – moderate – but it’s blowing a strong 25 mph cross-off. That’s a mess, more for kites than paddles.

Saturday the 29th afternoon has 10ft SW swell at 7 seconds, with energy up at 830 (strong), but the wind is near gale force at 31 mph cross-off. That’s howling, messy, and 10ft on a beach setup with short period is just a washing machine. Only for experts, and even then, grim.

Monday the 31st offers offshore wind for the first time – 6ft to 7ft WSW swell, 6-second period, energy in the 270-309 range. The wind is a clean offshore 15-19 mph. But that period is so short, it’ll be fat and quick to close out. Combined with it being rarely breaks and sometimes crowded when it does, I’d still give it a miss.

The only hint of something slightly better comes on Sunday the 6th of September morning. We’ve got 8ft WSW swell at 8 seconds, combined energy of 1066 – very strong. Wind is cross-offshore at 12 mph. But the wave comment calls it marginal due to tide issues, and 8ft with that period on a beach break will be a closeout for most. Kite surfers might have a field day here.

Wednesday the 9th morning sees 4ft SW swell at 8 seconds, energy 327 (moderate), with a moderate offshore breeze. Still, it’s rarely breaking, and the size is underwhelming.

The rest of the window is tiny, flat, or blown out. The water temperature is 69°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – 7° above average. That’s very unusual.

Bottom line: there are no good surf options in the 16-day window at Swanage. But it’s a rare-breaking spot, so don’t be surprised. Conditions can change, but right now, I’d leave the board at home.

Rusty.

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