Surf Forecasts:
Church Cove surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 9s period, W swell with 798 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. 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 2.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.4m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Church Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's take a look at what Church Cove has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a pretty grim run for most of the period. We’ve got a long, dry spell with nothing worth paddling out for. For the first ten days or so, from the 16th right through to the 26th of August, the surf is just poor. It’s either too small, onshore, or just a messy cross-chop. You’ll be sitting on the beach watching whitecaps, not waves.
Now, the one small glimmer comes right at the tail end of the month. On the morning of August 27th (Thursday), we’re looking at a bit of a lift. Swell comes up to about 6 ft from the WSW, with a 7-second period. It’s not going to blow anyone away, but the wind turns cross-offshore out of the NW, making the conditions clean. The combined energy is moderate at 304, so there's a little bit of grunt there. This is the only time in the whole forecast I’d even think about grabbing a board, but it’s still only a marginal call. Conditions might be okay if you’re desperate for a paddle.
Beyond that, it gets ugly again. A big pulse of swell rolls in from the 29th, pushing over 10 ft on Saturday with strong, lumpy cross-onshore winds. That’s expert-only territory, and with the wind howling, it’s going to be a mess. Honestly, that setup looks more interesting for the kite surfers than us paddle guys.
So, the standout? If you’re absolutely jonesing, the 27th morning is the one. Keep your expectations low, though. Water temp is sitting at 67°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be cold while you’re getting nothing.
Stay tuned, things can always change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 17°C on Sun afternoon). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed afternoon, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed afternoon, light winds from the N by Thu night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Sun 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 6 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 11 | WSW 10 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
25 | 15 | 48 | 127 | 94 | 91 | 60 | 115 | 346 | 424 | 798 | 723 | 700 | 441 | 201 | 127 | 35 | 22 | 33 | 42 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 8:06PM4.88m | 8:26AM4.54m | 8:45PM4.58m | 9:06AM4.28m | 9:25PM4.22m | 9:47AM3.98m | 10:10PM3.84m | 10:36AM3.66m | 11:06PM3.49m | 11:42AM3.40m | 00:25AM3.26m | 1:09PM3.29m | 1:52AM3.23m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:52AM0.15m | 3:06PM0.34m | 3:28AM0.47m | 3:44PM0.66m | 4:05AM0.83m | 4:23PM1.01m | 4:44AM1.18m | 5:07PM1.34m | 5:31AM1.50m | 6:05PM1.62m | 6:38AM1.72m | 7:29PM1.75m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 10 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | S 18 | S 16 | W 8 | W 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | W 8 | WSW 10 | E 6 |
25 | 15 | 41 | 6 | 5 | 20 | 19 | 29 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 700 | 441 | 201 | 127 | 28 | 21 | 33 | 88 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 18 | S 18 | S 18 | — | — | SSW 17 | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 8 | WSW 11 | NNW 6 | WSW 10 |
7 | 6 | 6 | — | — | 27 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 35 | 22 | 8 | 31 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | SW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | SSW 16 | WSW 11 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | SSW 15 |
— | 3 | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 25 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 42 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | WNW 4 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 6 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNE 3 | ESE 3 | E 5 | — |
3 | 5 | 48 | 127 | 94 | 91 | 60 | 115 | 346 | 424 | 798 | 723 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 3 | 88 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 307 | 271 | 192 | 190 | 257 | 311 | 202 | 255 | 582 | 190 | 484 | 186 | 190 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 166 | 10 | 10 | 72 |
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.











