Surf Forecasts:
Fistral-South surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, WNW swell with 812 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fistral-South this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Fistral-South in the next 16 days are 2.5m 8s 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 0.5m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fistral-South over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Fistral-South.
Honestly, it’s a pretty grim stretch ahead. The whole 16-day window is a real struggle. The first week and a half is basically a write-off. You’re looking at a solid run of poor surf conditions from August 17th all the way through to the 25th, with barely a ripple to speak of. The swell is weak, the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the energy levels are pathetic. It’s a tough watch.
There’s a glimmer of hope towards the very end, but it’s a long way off. The only standout, and I mean the only one worth circling on your calendar, is the afternoon of Sunday, 30th August. The conditions are looking glassy with a light southwest wind, and we’ve got a solid 8ft swell coming from the west, with a period of 9 seconds. The wave energy is strong, hitting 908, and the forecast is for very good surf. That’s your day. The water’s sitting at 66°F with a 3°F anomaly, so it’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
Before that, the swell is either too small, too short period, or the wind is just ruining everything. There’s a brief moment on the morning of Friday, 28th August where we see an 8ft west swell with a 10-second period, and the energy is through the roof at 1283, but it’s still only marginal with a light onshore breeze. It’s a bit of a tease, but not worth the paddle out for most.
So, to sum it up: the next week and a half is a blank. Then, hold out for that Sunday afternoon session on the 30th. It’s a long-range call, so don’t bet the house on it, but it’s the only real chance you’ve got.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Very mild (max 17°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | N 5 | W 9 | NNW 6 | N 6 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 14 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 60 | 121 | 92 | 160 | 130 | 285 | 310 | 397 | 812 | 225 | 380 | 157 | 65 | 64 | 24 | 98 | 74 | 26 | 25 | 19 | 14 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:15PM6.25m | 9:33AM5.88m | 9:53PM5.75m | 10:13AM5.43m | 10:34PM5.22m | 10:57AM4.97m | 11:25PM4.73m | 11:55AM4.57m | 00:36AM4.36m | 1:20PM4.36m | 2:10AM4.29m | 2:52PM4.47m | 3:30AM4.52m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:11PM0.60m | 3:33AM0.81m | 3:48PM1.02m | 4:08AM1.28m | 4:27PM1.49m | 4:48AM1.75m | 5:13PM1.94m | 5:40AM2.17m | 6:19PM2.31m | 6:58AM2.45m | 7:54PM2.45m | 8:37AM2.43m | 9:24PM2.25m | ||||||||
 | |  | |  |  |  | | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 19 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 8 | W 16 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | WSW 15 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
| kJ | 40 | 121 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 23 | 199 | 380 | 157 | 65 | 45 | 24 | 47 | 45 | 26 | 25 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 18 | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 11 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 |
| kJ | 6 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 20 | 19 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 5 | 3 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | — | SW 12 | W 5 | — | WSW 14 | N 4 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 10 | 10 | — | 6 | 1 | — | 19 | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | — | W 7 | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | N 5 | N 6 | N 5 | N 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | N 6 | N 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | — |
| kJ | 60 | — | 92 | 160 | 130 | 285 | 310 | 397 | 812 | 225 | 18 | 54 | 29 | 64 | 22 | 98 | 74 | 15 | 10 | 10 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 404 | 505 | 231 | 271 | 833 | 274 | 293 | 240 | 134 | 134 | 41 | 41 | 8 | 231 | 231 | 205 | 274 | 0 | 40 | 391 | 281 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Fistral-South Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Fistral-South provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Fistral-South can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Fistral-South 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 (Fistral-South) 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 Fistral-South 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.
Fistral-South is 1 km (1 miles) from Newquay. If you plan a holiday in North Cornwall, look for hotels and other accommodation in Newquay. Newquay has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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