Surf Forecasts:
Church Cove surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s period, W swell with 618 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 8s period with WNW 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 0.5m 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 1.8m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Church Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Church Cove has in store for the next couple of weeks. Straight up, it’s a pretty grim outlook across the board. We’ve got a long stretch with almost nothing worth paddling out for.
The main issue is that while we do see a pulse of swell building around the 20th and 21st of August, the wind is all wrong. For most of the first week, we’re dealing with cross-off, cross, or cross-on breezes, often fresh, which just ruins any chance of clean lines. The water temperature is sitting at 67°F, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year — about 4°F above the long-term average, so it’s a notable anomaly.
The only morning that even flirts with something rideable is Saturday the 22nd. Early that morning, we see a tiny 2ft swell from the west, period of 6 seconds, but the wind goes light offshore from the northeast at 3 mph. It’s clean, but the combined energy is weak at just 66. The afternoon gets even smaller and goes glassy — 2ft from the west, no wind, glassy surface — but with energy down to 40, it’s barely a ripple. Church Cove is inconsistent at the best of times, and with these tiny, short-period swells, it’s really not offering anything for the surfer looking for a real wave.
After that, the energy just falls off a cliff from the 23rd onwards, with swells barely hitting 0.7ft for days, and only a very small uptick around the 26th with 2ft from the northwest, again with poor wind.
There are no standouts here. The whole 16-day window is basically a write-off for decent surf. Even the one day that has a clean window (the 22nd) has such insignificant swell it’s hardly worth the drive. For this area, a blank run like this isn’t uncommon, but it’s frustrating all the same. You might get a session in on the 22nd if you’re desperate for a glide on a foamie, but for real waves, you’re out of luck.
Stay tuned, forecasts can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 6 | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
89 | 97 | 54 | 27 | 25 | 10 | 29 | 127 | 59 | 49 | 48 | 97 | 127 | 257 | 349 | 554 | 593 | 605 | 440 | 270 | 51 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:27PM5.07m | 7:48AM4.72m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:49PM-0.07m | 2:14AM-0.09m | 2:28PM0.09m | 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 | ||||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 16 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 9 | S 18 | W 9 | NW 6 | W 8 | W 6 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | W 9 | SSW 14 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 |
89 | 97 | 54 | 27 | 25 | 8 | 28 | 6 | 13 | 5 | 19 | 97 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 554 | 20 | 605 | 440 | 270 | 51 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | S 12 | S 12 | WSW 8 | — | E 5 | W 7 | — | S 16 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | W 11 | — | SSW 14 | — | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 8 |
12 | 3 | 3 | 12 | — | 1 | 4 | — | 5 | 27 | 11 | 29 | 24 | 2 | — | 21 | — | 18 | 17 | 17 | 36 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | — | S 20 | S 12 | S 18 | S 18 | S 18 | — | S 19 | SW 17 | — | SSW 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 |
3 | — | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | — | 7 | 11 | — | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 10 | 24 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | N 3 | NW 3 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | — | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | — | W 10 | — | — | NW 3 | — |
9 | 17 | 25 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 29 | 127 | 59 | 49 | 48 | — | 127 | 257 | 349 | — | 593 | — | — | 3 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 232 | 484 | 217 | 232 | 416 | 451 | 231 | 429 | 190 | 271 | 839 | 12 | 232 | 573 | 261 | 176 | 531 | 75 | 90 | 90 | 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.











