Surf Forecasts:
Woolacombe surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 5s period, NNW swell with 74 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Woolacombe this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Woolacombe in the next 16 days are 1.2m 5s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Woolacombe over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get this straight off the bat: the next 16 days at Woolacombe look tough. It’s a real dry spell for proper waves, so we’re looking at a long stretch of small, poor surf, and honestly, you’d be better off stashing the board for a bit.
The first half of the forecast is a write-off. From Friday 17th July right through to the end of the following week, we’re talking tiny, weak swells, mostly under 3 feet. The wind is all over the shop – cross-on, onshore, or just messy. The combined energy is laughably low, often in single digits (like 2 to 14), meaning there’s almost no push. The water’s a touch warmer than normal at 64°F, but that’s the only bit of good news. You’ll be staring at flat, bumpy, unrideable ocean.
Then, around the 27th July, Monday, the swell tries to wake up. We get a pulse of 6 feet from the west, with a period of 7 seconds. The combined energy jumps to 303, which is a decent jump. But here’s the wrench: the wind is a cross-on, moderate to fresh breeze (12-18 mph). That’s going to put a nasty chop on top. It’s not clean, and it’s not beginner-friendly at that size. It’s a “maybe” for experienced surfers on a good board, but it’s not a standout.
The real standout, if you can call it that, is the morning of 1st August. That Saturday morning brings a 4 foot west swell, period of 6 seconds, with a gentle cross-on breeze (9 mph). The combined energy is 107. It’s not huge, it’s not perfect, but it’s the closest thing to a clean-ish window all week. The wind is light enough that it might be fun for a longboard. But it’s still a beach and reef setup, and a short period west swell can be a bit soft and straight-breaking here. Expect a few people about, as it’s a Saturday.
The rest of the second week stays messy. The 28th July sees a 4 foot westerly swell with a cross-on wind, and the combined energy hits 158, but it’s still not clean. Crowds are possible on any decent day, but honestly, with this quality, it’ll be quiet.
Overall, this is a grim run. The forecast shows no real “must-surf” days. If you’re desperate, the 1st August morning is your best bet, or the 27th July if you’re hungry for size and don’t mind the chop. Otherwise, leave it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri night, min 14°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 8 | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | W 7 | W 19 | NNW 4 | W 12 | W 18 | NNW 4 | W 10 | W 10 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 5 | 6 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 28 | 48 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off | off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | off | cross-on | glassy | on | on | on |
High Tide | 9:48AM8.94m | 10:05PM9.08m | 10:29AM8.59m | 10:46PM8.66m | 11:07AM8.15m | 11:25PM8.16m | 11:48AM7.67m | 00:07AM7.63m | 12:34PM7.21m | 00:58AM7.14m | 1:35PM6.87m | 2:04AM6.81m | 2:49PM6.78m | 3:20AM6.77m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:46PM1.05m | 4:15AM1.16m | 4:24PM1.41m | 4:52AM1.61m | 5:01PM1.85m | 5:28AM2.09m | 5:42PM2.32m | 6:10AM2.57m | 6:33PM2.76m | 7:06AM2.97m | 7:39PM3.07m | 8:19AM3.18m | 8:56PM3.12m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | |  | | | |
 | 5:20 | — | — | 5:22 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 15 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | W 8 | NNW 4 | W 7 | W 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 11 | NNW 3 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | NNW 4 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 2 | 5 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | — | W 8 | NW 4 | W 10 | W 7 | NW 4 | W 11 | W 8 | W 10 | W 7 | W 16 | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | — | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 19 | W 19 | W 12 | W 18 | W 18 | W 8 | — | W 7 | — | — | — | W 15 | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 3 | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | — | NNW 4 | N 3 | NNW 2 | NNW 4 | ENE 2 | NNE 2 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | — | NNW 4 | NW 3 | — | — | WNW 3 |
| kJ | — | 6 | 4 | 2 | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 15 | 28 | 48 | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 420 | 466 | 41 | 403 | 146 | 385 | 385 | 402 | 332 | 91 | 146 | 240 | 240 | 240 | 240 | 41 | 459 | 385 | 404 | 404 | 424 |
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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