Surf Forecasts:
Church Cove surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 27 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, W swell with 767 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Church Cove this week:
The surf forecast for Church Cove over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Church Cove in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Church Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s talk about Church Cove.
Right off the bat, I’m gonna be straight with you—this 16-day window is a tough one for Church Cove. It’s a pretty little spot, but the surf gods are not playing nice. The water is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 66°F, which is a nice bonus, but that’s about the only silver lining for a while.
We start on Friday the 21st with a bit of swell, around 4ft coming from the west, but it’s a messy cross-offshore wind at 16 mph. The wave energy is moderate (207), but the report calls it poor, and I can feel the frustration. That trend sticks with us through the weekend and into the following week. The swell is tiny, often under 2ft, and the wind just won’t cooperate. It’s a long, dry spell with no real surf to speak of.
Then, around Wednesday the 26th, the swell starts to pick up—5ft on Wednesday morning, building to 6ft by the afternoon, and even hitting 8ft on Friday the 28th. But the wind is all wrong. It’s coming from the south and southwest, pushing straight onshore and making everything a lumpy, choppy mess. The energy is strong, hitting over 700 on the 28th, but you wouldn’t want to be out there. This stretch is more of a kite surfer’s dream than a paddle surfer’s, honestly.
We get a little break in the wind on Tuesday the 1st of September. The morning looks promising with a chunky 7ft west swell (energy a massive 1132) and a gentle cross-onshore breeze. The report calls it marginal, but for a big wave surfer who can handle the power, it’s the only real window of the whole period. The swell is just over 7ft, so it’s expert territory only. The period is short at 8 seconds, so it’s not the cleanest groundswell, but it’s the biggest push we get.
After that, it fades. The last real chance is on Saturday the 5th of September. The swell drops to 3ft from the west, but the wind goes completely glassy in the afternoon. That’s a beautiful moment—clean, smooth, and surfable, but tiny. The wave energy is light (122). It’s a cruisy longboard session if you’re desperate, but not a standout.
Overall, there’s a long gap of no real surf from the start until that big but messy swell around the 28th, then another gap until the glassy session on the 5th. If you’re an expert, the morning of the 1st of September is the best on offer, but it’s a gamble. Everyone else, keep your board in the car and check back in a few days.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Fri night, strong winds from the E by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Thu morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon night, min 15°C on Wed night). Mainly near gales. | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | ||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 9 | WSW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 9 | SSW 13 | SW 9 | SW 9 | W 10 | W 9 | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SW 7 | WNW 7 | W 8 | WNW 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
185 | 69 | 53 | 26 | 42 | 40 | 47 | 38 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 36 | 49 | 57 | 219 | 111 | 452 | 212 | 300 | 161 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 00:25AM3.26m | 1:09PM3.29m | 1:52AM3.23m | 2:28PM3.38m | 3:01AM3.38m | 3:28PM3.62m | 3:53AM3.62m | 4:14PM3.91m | 4:34AM3.89m | 4:52PM4.21m | 5:10AM4.15m | 5:25PM4.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:05PM1.62m | 6:38AM1.72m | 7:29PM1.75m | 8:12AM1.74m | 9:05PM1.64m | 9:33AM1.53m | 10:08PM1.35m | 10:25AM1.22m | 10:53PM1.02m | 11:06AM0.90m | 11:30PM0.70m | 11:42AM0.61m | 00:05AM0.42m | |||||||
— | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | |
8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | — | — |
Temp °C | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | W 8 | W 9 | E 5 | W 9 | SSW 14 | SW 12 | SW 10 | SW 9 | SSW 13 | SW 9 | SW 9 | E 6 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 7 | — | SSW 6 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 |
17 | 69 | 53 | 22 | 24 | 40 | 34 | 24 | 13 | 17 | 12 | 36 | 76 | 57 | 36 | 111 | — | 45 | 62 | 57 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | NNW 6 | WSW 9 | SSW 15 | W 9 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | E 5 | W 6 | — | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 9 |
25 | 22 | 7 | 26 | 42 | 14 | 47 | 38 | 17 | 8 | 12 | 34 | 47 | 43 | 2 | 38 | — | 6 | 6 | 41 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | WNW 6 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 10 | SW 13 | SW 12 | W 8 | — | — | SW 12 | S 12 |
10 | 24 | 21 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 17 | 17 | 49 | 7 | 6 | 32 | — | — | 6 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | — | — | — | E 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | — | ESE 6 | SSW 8 | — | SW 7 | WNW 7 | W 8 | WNW 7 |
185 | — | — | — | 11 | 24 | 53 | 89 | 402 | 628 | 475 | 295 | — | 20 | 219 | — | 452 | 212 | 300 | 161 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 213 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 7 | 23 | 30 | 7 | 211 | 202 | 166 | 224 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 166 | 12 | 18 | 28 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Cornwall | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Church Cove Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Church Cove provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Church Cove can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Church Cove 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 (Church Cove) 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 Church Cove 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.
Are you planning a holiday in South Cornwall? If you are looking for accommodation near Church Cove, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in South Cornwall, consider staying in The Lizard which is 13 km (8 miles) away. Other places in and around South Cornwall where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Penryn which is 17 km (11 miles) away, Falmouth, Camborne and Penzance.











