Surf Forecasts:
Caerhays surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period, ESE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 24 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, ESE swell with 348 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period with ESE swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Caerhays this week:
The surf forecast for Caerhays over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Caerhays in the next 16 days are 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 24) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Mon 24th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Caerhays over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the menu for Caerhays over the next couple of weeks.
To be straight with you, the outlook is grim for a long, long stretch. We’re talking a solid ten days of nothing worth paddling out for. From the 21st of August right through to the end of the month, the swell is tiny, the wind is mostly junk, and the scores are all zero. You’ll see a few mornings with a weak 0.7ft to 1ft swell, but with cross-shore or cross-onshore breezes, it’s just messy and flat. The water temp is sitting at 65°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s about the only consolation.
The first glimmer of hope comes on the morning of Tuesday, 1st September. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, with a 6ft swell rolling in from the west. The period is a short 8 seconds, so it’s windswell, not a groundswell, but with those conditions the surface will be like a mirror. The combined energy reading hits 454, which is proper strong, but the swell direction is west, and this spot really wants a south-southwest angle. Still, for a morning session, it’s the only window that might offer a couple of clean ones. Glassy conditions are a major positive, so if you’re desperate, this is your chance.
After that, the 3rd of September morning shows another brief window. A 5ft west swell creeps in with glassy winds again, and the energy is moderate at 261. The period is a weak 6 seconds, so it’ll be a bit fat and crumbly, but you could get a few ordinary waves. It’s not a standout, just a pulse of life in an otherwise dead forecast.
Beyond that, the 5th of September flattens right out again with a 0.7ft swell and a glassy morning, but there’s no energy to speak of (energy reading of just 6). It’s a total blank.
So, the only true standout is the Tuesday 1st September morning session – if you can get out, do it. The wind is off, it’s glassy, and there’s enough swell to push through. The rest of the 16-day window is a write-off. Caerhays is an inconsistent spot, and this run is a perfect example of that. It tends not to stay this poor forever, but right now, the forecasts are looking bleak.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Sun morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NE on Fri night, fresh winds from the E by Sun night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Tue night, strong winds from the S by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | WSW 8 | S 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | SW 13 | ESE 5 | SW 9 | SW 8 | S 5 | S 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
6 | 7 | 5 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 48 | 80 | 197 | 348 | 7 | 102 | 20 | 18 | 27 | 187 | 108 | 42 | 44 | 12 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | off | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 12:02PM3.41m | 00:39AM3.25m | 1:20PM3.27m | 1:59AM3.17m | 2:38PM3.31m | 3:13AM3.26m | 3:45PM3.50m | 4:14AM3.47m | 4:38PM3.78m | 5:02AM3.73m | 5:21PM4.07m | 5:41AM3.98m | 5:56PM4.34m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:11PM1.62m | 6:43AM1.73m | 7:41PM1.82m | 8:33AM1.81m | 9:32PM1.71m | 9:59AM1.59m | 10:34PM1.40m | 10:50AM1.26m | 11:16PM1.04m | 11:29AM0.91m | 11:53PM0.68m | 12:04PM0.58m | 00:26AM0.36m | ||||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | 1 | 8 | 2 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 11 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | S 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | ESE 5 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SE 5 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | ESE 5 | SW 8 | SW 8 | S 12 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SW 7 |
6 | 6 | 5 | 21 | 21 | 6 | 20 | 18 | 30 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 3 | 108 | 42 | 44 | 12 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | SW 13 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | SSW 15 | — | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 9 | SW 9 | SW 9 | S 13 | E 6 | E 5 | S 12 | W 8 | SE 5 | SE 4 | WSW 10 | WSW 7 |
3 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 21 | — | 48 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 3 | 9 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | S 16 | S 13 | W 10 | S 12 | W 9 | — | — | SW 10 | — | W 9 | S 11 | W 11 | SW 9 | S 13 | — | — | S 12 | W 8 | SE 4 | — |
2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 4 | — | 6 | 2 | 2 | 20 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 3 | — | — | ESE 5 | — | ESE 4 | SE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | E 7 | ESE 5 | — | SSE 3 | S 5 | S 6 | — | — | NW 3 | WNW 3 |
— | 3 | — | — | 15 | — | 2 | 23 | 80 | 197 | 348 | 277 | 102 | — | 1 | 27 | 187 | — | — | 4 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 54 | 224 | 30 | 25 | 62 | 41 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 420 | 191 | 178 | 178 | 29 | 26 | 227 | 151 | 70 | 264 | 333 | 218 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Caerhays Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Caerhays provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Caerhays can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Caerhays 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 (Caerhays) 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 Caerhays 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.
Caerhays is 13 km (8 miles) from Saint Austell. If you plan a holiday in South Cornwall, look for hotels and other accommodation in Saint Austell. Saint Austell has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











