
Surf Forecasts:
Church Cove surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, W swell with 36 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Church Cove this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Church Cove in the next 16 days are 0.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Church Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day surfers, Rusty here. I’ve been through the forecast for our patch, and I’m not gonna sugarcoat it—it’s a lean run ahead.
Church Cove is the only game in town, and for the first week and a half, it’s a bust. From 17 July, the swell is tiny—0.2ft to 0.4ft of west windswell, with periods that are short—mostly 7 to 11 seconds. The combined energy is weak, sitting between 6 and 33. The scores are a flat zero. The wind is often cross-off or offshore, so the conditions are clean, but there’s just no wave to ride. The water on the 17th is a warm 65°F, which is about 4°F above normal—unusually warm, but doesn’t help the surf.
We get a glimmer of hope on 26 July. Sunday morning delivers 1ft from the west-northwest at 7 seconds, energy 138—low moderate. Cross-off wind from the north-northwest, so it’s clean. By afternoon, we’re at 2ft from the west, 7 seconds, energy 214. That’s a rideable wave, but still short-period and lumpy. For a beginner, this is near the limit.
The standout is Monday 27 July. Morning swell hits 2ft from the west, period 7 seconds, energy 389 (moderate). The wind is cross from the north-west at 19 mph, so it’s a bit choppy. By afternoon, the swell peaks at 2ft from the west, 8 seconds, energy 536. That’s head-high and powerful, but the cross-chop will make it tough. This is for experienced surfers only. Tuesday 28 July morning is the cleanest session of the lot—2ft from the west, 8 seconds, energy 464, with a clean cross-off wind from the north-northwest. That’s the best quality we’ll see.
After that, it fades. Swell drops to 0.5ft to 1ft through early August, with short periods and weak energy. The last half-decent day is 1 August, with 1ft to 1ft from the west-northwest, 6 seconds, clean wind but gutless.
So, there’s a big gap of about eight days with no real surf. The only proper windows are Monday 27 July (biggest swell, 2ft, west) and Tuesday 28 July (cleanest, 2ft, west). Church Cove is inconsistent, so this drought isn’t unusual. If you’re into kite surfing, the lumpier days might be more your thing.
Hang in there.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ESE on Sat night, calm by Mon morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Wed afternoon, light winds from the S by Thu morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Fri 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 22 | 35 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:51PM5.00m | 8:16AM4.56m | 8:37PM4.81m | 9:02AM4.36m | 9:23PM4.53m | 9:49AM4.12m | 10:11PM4.21m | 10:40AM3.88m | 11:04PM3.88m | 11:38AM3.66m | 00:06AM3.62m | 12:43PM3.52m | 1:14AM3.47m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:42AM-0.04m | 2:56PM0.17m | 3:25AM0.18m | 3:39PM0.42m | 4:08AM0.48m | 4:23PM0.72m | 4:50AM0.81m | 5:08PM1.04m | 5:36AM1.12m | 5:58PM1.32m | 6:29AM1.38m | 7:01PM1.53m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | |
— | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:15 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 22 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NW 6 | ESE 5 | E 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NNW 6 | W 9 | W 8 |
10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 48 | 14 | 4 | 11 | 35 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | E 5 | SW 5 | SW 11 | — | W 7 | NNW 6 | W 9 | E 4 | W 11 | W 8 | NW 6 | E 4 | E 4 | E 4 | — | SW 14 | W 9 | E 4 | SW 13 |
12 | 2 | 1 | 5 | — | 4 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 22 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | 8 | 14 | 1 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SW 5 | SW 11 | SW 5 | SW 12 | W 10 | W 7 | W 12 | W 11 | W 8 | — | W 7 | NNW 6 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | — | S 14 | S 14 | — |
3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 5 | — | 1 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 6 | E 5 | E 5 | N 3 | — | — | NNW 6 | — | — | NNW 3 | N 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NE 3 | NNW 5 | NW 4 |
2 | 1 | 3 | 24 | 26 | 47 | 54 | 5 | — | — | 12 | — | — | 3 | 12 | 33 | 28 | 2 | 11 | 5 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 939 | 428 | 416 | 611 | 51 | 411 | 10 | 408 | 399 | 401 | 10 | 30 | 684 | 549 | 740 | 236 | 102 | 40 | 609 | 524 |
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.










