
Surf Forecasts:
Caerhays surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, ESE swell with 154 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Caerhays this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Caerhays in the next 16 days are 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 7AM. 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 2s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Caerhays over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let's have a look at what's on the cards for the local stretch. I'm lookin' at Caerhays here, and I gotta be straight with you – this 16-day window is a lean one. The ocean's just not playing ball for us. The water's hangin' in there at 66°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won't be shivering while you're staring at the flatness.
The whole forecast period is a write-off for any decent paddle surfing. The first bit of the run is a real struggle. Saturday the 8th is a total no-go – a messy 0.3ft of weak swell from the south with a 12 mph cross-on wind making it choppy and unrideable. We bump up a tiny bit Sunday the 9th, but it's still ankle-deep and clean, just not enough water to bother with. Monday the 10th has a moment of glassy conditions on the morning, but with a pathetic 1.0ft of swell, it's just a wobbly pond.
Then we get a bit of a pulse mid-week, but it's all wrong. Tuesday the 11th sees some swell from the ESE, building to 4ft by the afternoon, but the period is a shocking 3-5 seconds – that's just wind chop with no push. The cross-shore wind is 19 mph, making it lumpy and ugly. Wednesday the 12th morning has the biggest swell of the whole period at 5ft, with combined wave energy of 152 (moderate), but it's from the ESE with a short 6-second period, and a 22 mph cross-shore wind. That's a total mess – looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer, honestly.
From Thursday the 13th right through to the end of the 23rd, it's a long, flat spell. The wind goes clean and offshore or cross-off a few times, like on the 14th with a 16 mph offshore wind, but the swell is barely a ripple at 0.7ft. Even the long-period groundswell that pops up on the 17th (0.3ft, 18-second period) is just a whisper that won't break anywhere. The last few days, like the 22nd and 23rd, have a bit more period (14-16 seconds) but the swell height is still a paltry 0.3ft to 0.7ft.
So, what's the stand-out? There isn't one. Not a single day offers a proper surfable wave. Caerhays is inconsistent at the best of times, and this stretch of weather is a perfect example of that. It's a blank run. The only thing that's consistent here is the lack of surf. We'll have to wait for the next change in the charts. Keep your eyes on the horizon, but don't hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun morning, min 17°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the E on Tue night, calm by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 13 | SE 4 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | SW 6 | S 13 | S 13 | ESE 3 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 8 | SW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 72 | 109 | 136 | 39 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 3 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off |
High Tide | 1:23PM3.72m | 2:02AM3.68m | 2:42PM3.82m | 3:20AM3.79m | 3:54PM4.05m | 4:29AM3.99m | 4:56PM4.35m | 5:27AM4.23m | 5:49PM4.64m | 6:17AM4.43m | 6:36PM4.84m | 7:01AM4.56m | 7:17PM4.93m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:10PM1.21m | 8:52AM1.15m | 9:38PM1.01m | 10:10AM0.89m | 10:47PM0.63m | 11:10AM0.52m | 11:41PM0.22m | 12:01PM0.17m | 00:29AM-0.11m | 12:46PM-0.08m | 1:13AM-0.31m | 1:28PM-0.21m | 1:54AM-0.35m | ||||||||
5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | |
— | 8:52 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 16 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | W 6 | SE 4 | ESE 4 | SE 4 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | WSW 8 | SW 8 |
3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | S 13 | S 12 | W 6 | SW 6 | — | S 11 | S 13 | — | — | — | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | WSW 9 | WSW 11 | E 6 | — | — | — | — |
— | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 2 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | S 13 | — | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | W 8 | W 11 | S 13 | S 11 | S 11 | — | S 12 | — | SW 12 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | — | — | — | — |
3 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — | 3 | — | 6 | 6 | 4 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 3 | SE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 3 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | — | — | WNW 2 | WNW 3 | — | NW 2 | — |
2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 72 | 109 | 136 | 39 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 226 | 178 | 41 | 210 | 430 | 38 | 37 | 41 | 41 | 219 | 430 | 25 | 62 | 25 | 19 | 19 | 62 | 152 | 153 | 270 | 43 |
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.











