Caerhays Surf Break

Lat Long: 50.23° N 4.85° W

Caerhays Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Caerhays sea temperature is
19.0° C
2.0° 

Caerhays surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Caerhays surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 6s period, WSW swell with 28 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Caerhays this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Caerhays in the next 16 days are 0.7m 6s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 1AM (Thu 20th Aug)2.5ft (0.7m) 6s

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 Caerhays has got cookin’ over the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. The first week and a bit is a proper write-off, with hardly a ripple to get excited about. From now through the end of August, the swell is tiny and the winds are mostly cross or cross-off, which is alright for the surface but there’s just no power in the water. We’re talking combined swell energy barely scraping double digits most days – a measly 10 to 29 – so you’re basically floating around out there. There’s a real gap with no recommendations from now until the 26th of August.

Now, things do finally wake up late on Wednesday the 26th of August. A bit of a pulse shows up in the afternoon with a 5 ft swell from the SSW and a short period of 6 seconds. The wind is cross-off from the WNW, which keeps it clean, and the combined energy jumps to 138 (moderate energy). That’s a bit of life, but the period is short, so it’ll be a bit fat and unorganised. It’s not the best for a beginner as it’s sizeable, but a decent option for the more experienced crew who are itching.

But the real standout – the one to circle – is the morning of Thursday, the 27th of August. We’ve got a 3 ft swell from the SW with a much better period of 8 seconds, and the wind is off from the NW, meaning clean, lined-up waves. The combined energy hits 278 (moderate energy), which is the strongest we see in this whole forecast. This is the best chance for a proper session at Caerhays. Because the swell has a little more period and size, and it’s from the SSW optimum direction, it should wrap in nicely on this fairly exposed stretch. The afternoon then drops off a bit in height but picks up period (2 ft from WSW, 13 seconds), though the wind goes cross, so it gets a little bumpy – still a solid afternoon option but not as crisp as the morning.

After that, it fades out again. The 28th and 29th see small, weak, cross-shore chop with combined energy under 20, and by the 30th we’re back to 0.3 ft and a 1 or 6. The end of the run into September 1st has a little bump (2 ft, 5 seconds) but the wind is fresh cross-shore, making it lumpy and uninviting.

So, bottom line: if you’ve got a paddle in you, save your energy for Thursday morning the 27th of August. That’s your window for clean, head-high waves with some guts behind them. The rest is a flat spell with a tiny pulse on the 26th that’s worth a look if you’re desperate.

Stay salty,
Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light.

Monday
17
Tuesday
18
Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
18
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
17
0.1
S
17
0.4
WSW
7
0.6
WSW
3
0.7
WSW
6
0.4
SW
6
0.4
SW
10
0.1
SW
14
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.1
S
16
0.1
SW
15
0.1
SW
15
0.1
SW
15
0.1
SW
14
0.1
SW
14
0.1
SW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
6
6
5
5
5
6
17
9
28
12
25
8
5
7
5
8
8
8
8
8
8
Wind (km/h)
20
WNW
25
WNW
20
W
25
WNW
30
WNW
25
WNW
25
WNW
30
W
20
W
25
WNW
25
NW
15
NNW
10
NE
20
NNW
15
NNW
15
NNE
0
NE
10
NE
10
ENE
5
N
20
N
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
off
glassy
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
High Tide
9:11PM4.48m
9:32AM4.20m
9:50PM4.16m
10:12AM3.94m
10:33PM3.82m
11:00AM3.66m
11:27PM3.50m
12:02PM3.41m
00:39AM3.25m
1:20PM3.27m
1:59AM3.17m
2:38PM3.31m
3:13AM3.26m
Low Tide
3:24PM0.21m
3:46AM0.32m
4:01PM0.55m
4:21AM0.70m
4:38PM0.92m
4:58AM1.09m
5:19PM1.29m
5:40AM1.45m
6:11PM1.62m
6:43AM1.73m
7:41PM1.82m
8:33AM1.81m
9:32PM1.71m
part cloud
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:09
6:11
6:13
6:13
6:16
6:16
6:18
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:35
8:32
8:30
8:29
8:27
8:24
8:22
 mm
1
2
2
Temp °C
21
21
19
20
19
18
19
20
16
19
18
15
17
18
14
17
18
17
19
19
16
Feels °C
19
19
17
16
14
15
13
14
12
15
13
12
15
14
10
15
17
15
17
17
13
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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.

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