Surf Forecasts:
Church Cove surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 9s period, WNW swell with 979 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s 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 10s 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 2.4m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Church Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Church Cove.
First up, straight off the bat, the water temp at Church Cove is about average for the time of year, so nothing wild to report there.
Honestly, the next week and a half is a pretty grim stretch for a paddle. We’ve got a bit of energy bumping around, but the wind is just a mess. Wednesday the 19th through to Thursday the 27th is basically a write-off – moderate to fresh cross, cross-on and onshore winds, and the wave quality is described as poor. The swell heights are there, but it’s lumpy, choppy, and ugly. Even though Friday morning the 21st has a clean look with a light offshore from the NE and 4ft of swell from the W, the period is a short 8 seconds, and the combined energy is weak (227). Not worth a session. That entire stretch is a no-go for a decent surf.
We’ve got a long, quiet gap for proper waves. The better news starts way out on Monday the 31st of August, but there’s a real catch. By Monday morning, we’re looking at a solid 15ft swell from the W with an 11-second period. That’s a powerful, long-period groundswell – combined energy is a beastly 4680. The problem is, it’s too big for this spot, and the wind is a fresh cross-shore with lumpy chop. This is expert territory only, and the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than a standard paddle session.
If I had to pick one standout, and this is a big “if”, it’s that Monday, August 31st morning session. The raw power is undeniable, with a long-period W swell delivering proper grunt. But you’d have to be a very, very experienced local to handle it. The crowds are sometimes around here too, so you won’t be alone. For the rest of us, this forecast is a classic case of waiting it out – forecasts can change, but for now, the next decent, clean, manageable wave is a long way off.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat afternoon, fresh winds from the ENE by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 9 | W 10 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WSW 9 | W 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 9 | SSW 13 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
302 | 479 | 655 | 921 | 979 | 470 | 210 | 118 | 56 | 34 | 26 | 24 | 19 | 40 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 52 | 125 | 264 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 10:10PM3.84m | 10:36AM3.66m | 11:06PM3.49m | 11:42AM3.40m | 00:25AM3.26m | 1:09PM3.29m | 1:52AM3.23m | 2:28PM3.38m | 3:01AM3.38m | 3:28PM3.62m | 3:53AM3.62m | 4:14PM3.91m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 4:23PM1.01m | 4:44AM1.18m | 5:07PM1.34m | 5:31AM1.50m | 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 | ||||||||
6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:20 | — | |
mm | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 6 | W 9 | W 9 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | W 9 | W 9 | E 7 | E 7 | W 10 | W 9 |
302 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 771 | 470 | 210 | 118 | 56 | 34 | 22 | 24 | 14 | 43 | 22 | 14 | 14 | 156 | 43 | 125 | 264 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 16 | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 9 | W 7 | WSW 9 | NNW 5 | SSW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | W 8 | W 10 | E 6 | S 5 |
24 | — | — | — | 20 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 38 | 23 | 26 | 5 | 19 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 18 | 12 | 52 | 11 | 42 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 16 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | SSW 13 | W 8 | SSW 13 | E 5 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 10 | 24 | 13 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 40 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 12 | 17 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | W 10 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 9 | — | N 3 | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | E 5 | — | N 2 | E 6 | E 7 | NNW 4 | — | S 3 | — |
2 | 479 | 655 | 921 | 979 | — | 7 | 11 | — | — | — | — | 29 | — | 2 | 64 | 205 | 4 | — | 8 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 451 | 582 | 190 | 186 | 531 | 0 | 90 | 12 | 0 | 98 | 192 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 312 | 211 | 171 | 7 | 12 | 28 |
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.











