Caerhays Surf Break

Lat Long: 50.23° N 4.85° W

Caerhays Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 20 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Caerhays sea temperature is
18.9° C
1.9° 

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


Caerhays surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period, ESE swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, SW swell with 493 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Caerhays in the next 16 days are 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7PM (Sun 23rd Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 5s
Best Surf 7PM (Sun 23rd Aug)2.5ft (0.8m) 5s
Most Powerful 1PM (Wed 26th Aug)6ft (1.9m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Caerhays over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s coming for the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a tough stretch for Caerhays (Cornwall). The whole 16-day forecast is covered in “poor surf conditions” – not a single recommendation anywhere. The finder is showing zero good options, so we’re looking at a long, blank run. The spot is fairly exposed to swell, so it won’t stay this way forever, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

Water temp is about 66°F, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year – about 3°F above normal. Feels nice, but it won’t help the waves.

Starting Wednesday, August 19th, we’ve got a tiny 0.3ft S swell with a 16-second period, but combined energy is a weak 11. Wind is blowing 30 km/h from the W, cross-off, so it’s clean, but there’s nothing to ride. Thursday the 20th sees a little more size – 1ft to 2ft SW swell – but period drops to 7-10 seconds, energy stays low, and wind is still cross-off. Still poor.

Friday the 21st morning has a brief window of offshore wind from the N at 20 km/h, clean conditions, but the swell is only 0.7ft. It’s just not happening. The rest of that weekend is tiny swells with cross or cross-on winds. Crowds at Caerhays are “sometimes,” but with waves like this, the beach will be empty.

There’s a gap of several days with no real surf. Then Monday the 24th, we get a spike in size – 4ft to 6ft ESE swell – but it’s short-period windswell at 5-6 seconds, with a strong 40 km/h E cross wind. That’s messy, raw, and the wave quality is poor. Combined energy hits 246 on Monday afternoon, which is moderate, but it’s not a surfable wave. More of a kite-surfing setup.

Through the rest of the week, conditions stay mixed. Wednesday the 26th brings a 5ft SSW swell with 8-second period, energy up to 440 – moderate – but onshore with a moderate breeze and choppy. For the experts, maybe a few grindy closeouts, but nothing special.

The last few days of August and into early September, we’re looking at mostly tiny swells under 2ft, short periods, and cross-off or cross winds. There’s a glassy moment on the morning of Friday the 28th with a 1ft SSW swell and 6-second period, but it’s flat. Even the longer-period pulses (10-15 seconds) are too small and weak.

There’s a final push on Thursday, September 3rd, with a 8ft SSW swell, 8-second period, and combined energy of 622 – that’s moderate to strong. But the wind is onshore from the SSE at 25 km/h, and the wave comment is still poor. That’s one for the big-wave crew only, and even then, it’s going to be lumpy and messy.

Bottom line: there’s no surf worth chasing in this window. Caerhays is a reliable spot when it’s on, but this forecast is a dud. Keep your board waxed and your eyes on the next update.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Some drizzle, heaviest during Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NW on Thu morning, light winds from the E by Sat afternoon).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the E by Mon night).

Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
Wednesday
26
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
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
SW
7
0.4
SW
10
0.4
SW
10
0.2
WSW
8
0.2
WSW
8
0.1
S
16
0.1
SW
15
0.2
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
14
0.6
SE
5
0.2
SSW
14
1.4
ESE
6
2
ESE
7
1.6
ESE
6
0.4
ESE
7
0.3
SW
9
0.4
SSW
9
1.5
SSW
8
1.5
SSW
8
0.8
SSW
7
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
16
35
26
6
7
5
8
21
21
19
19
20
126
339
171
18
13
30
321
287
61
Wind (km/h)
30
WNW
30
NW
15
NNW
15
N
25
NNW
10
NNW
10
ENE
20
ESE
15
NNE
15
E
15
SE
15
NE
35
E
45
E
50
E
25
ESE
20
SE
15
SSW
30
S
25
S
10
W
Wind State
cross-off
cross-off
off
off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-off
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross-on
cross-off
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
on
on
cross-off
High Tide
11:00AM3.66m
11:27PM3.50m
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
Low Tide
4:58AM1.09m
5:19PM1.29m
5:40AM1.45m
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
clear
clear
part cloud
light rain
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:13
6:16
6:16
6:18
6:20
6:22
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:29
8:27
8:24
8:22
8:21
8:19
8:16
 mm
1
1
3
1
4
3
Temp °C
18
18
15
16
16
14
18
18
18
18
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
18
19
20
17
Feels °C
13
13
13
13
11
11
13
14
15
14
16
16
11
11
11
18
18
15
15
16
17
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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