Surf Forecasts:
Woolacombe surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, W swell with 1,784 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Woolacombe this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Woolacombe in the next 16 days are 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Woolacombe over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about the surf report in feet and Fahrenheit.
Plainly, the next week and a half is a dud for any decent paddle surfing at Woolacombe. You’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak swell with combined energy stuck in the twenties – like 23 and 27 – and wave heights barely scraping 1 ft through the end of August.
We get into the first few days of September and the swell does come up, but the wind is a nightmare. From the 2nd of September onward, the swell climbs past 5 ft and eventually hits over 8 ft on the 3rd, with combined energy jumping into the hundreds (565, 866, 761). That's moderate to strong energy, but it's all coming with cross-onshore and onshore winds, so the surface is going to be lumpy, choppy, and messy. Even the long period groundswell on the 6th of September – 19 seconds and 18 seconds with combined energy at 621 and 525 – at Woolacombe, with its beach and reef setup, is going to break straight with that cross-onshore wind. A lot of power wasted on messy conditions.
The only sliver of hope is at the very end. On the 7th of September, Monday morning, we have a tiny 3 ft swell with a 14-second period and combined energy of 745, and the wind is a light onshore at 6 mph. The score picked up to a 2, offering a marginal option. That’s the standout window. The swell direction (W) is a close match to what the break likes (WNW). For experienced surfers who know the banks, there may be a few lined-up waves in the morning before the wind gets too strong. Beginners should steer clear of the 6 ft sets that hit later in the day as the cross-on wind makes it a real mess.
The first 13 days are a total bust. The only day worth even a glance is Monday, the 7th of September. The water temperature is about normal for this time of year.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 23°C on Mon afternoon, min 16°C on Mon morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Mon morning, calm by Wed afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu morning, strong winds from the W by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | SW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WSW 6 | W 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 9 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 17 | 30 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 10 | 31 | 68 | 101 | 82 | 178 | 104 | 47 | 82 | 68 | 145 | 745 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:41PM7.19m | 5:06AM7.23m | 5:28PM7.77m | 5:49AM7.78m | 6:07PM8.28m | 6:26AM8.24m | 6:43PM8.69m | 7:01AM8.61m | 7:17PM9.00m | 7:34AM8.88m | 7:52PM9.21m | 8:08AM9.05m | 8:26PM9.30m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:21AM3.06m | 10:46PM2.69m | 11:12AM2.50m | 11:32PM2.15m | 11:52AM2.00m | 00:11AM1.69m | 12:28PM1.59m | 00:46AM1.33m | 1:01PM1.29m | 1:20AM1.07m | 1:33PM1.10m | 1:53AM0.92m | 2:04PM1.01m | 2:25AM0.90m | |||||||
 |  |  |  | |  | | | | | |  | | | | |  | | |  |  | |
 | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — |
 | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 5 | 2 |
Temp °C | 19 | 23 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 17 |
Feels °C | 12 | 19 | 15 | 14 | 19 | 15 | 20 | 23 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 15 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | SW 8 | WSW 7 | WSW 8 | — | W 6 | W 7 | — | W 6 | WSW 6 | W 12 | — |
| kJ | 9 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 17 | 30 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 10 | 31 | 68 | 101 | — | 97 | 104 | — | 52 | 68 | 3 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | SW 9 | SW 13 | W 11 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 7 | W 12 | — | W 7 | W 11 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 6 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | 9 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SW 13 | W 13 | W 13 | — | — | S 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 8 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 3 | ENE 4 | E 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | — | — | — | S 7 | — | — | — | — | WSW 7 | W 7 | — | WSW 6 | W 6 | SSE 3 | WSW 6 | WSW 8 |
| kJ | 5 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 7 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 82 | 178 | — | 47 | 82 | 2 | 145 | 745 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 402 | 373 | 283 | 91 | 41 | 6 | 99 | 41 | 341 | 91 | 40 | 52 | 57 | 91 | 23 | 49 | 252 | 279 | 139 | 454 | 472 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Devon | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Woolacombe Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Woolacombe provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Woolacombe can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Woolacombe 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 (Woolacombe) 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 Woolacombe 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.
Woolacombe is 14 km (9 miles) from Appledore. If you plan a holiday in North Devon, look for hotels and other accommodation in Appledore. Appledore has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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