Fistral-South Surf Break

Lat Long: 50.41° N 5.10° W

Fistral-South Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 17 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Fistral-South sea temperature is
19.2° C
2.2° 

Fistral-South surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Fistral-South surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, W swell with 701 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 2.3m 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 0.3m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 10PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 1AM (Thu 20th Aug)7.5ft (2.3m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fistral-South over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for Fistral South over the next couple of weeks. I've got to be straight with you – this forecast is a bit of a mixed bag, and there's a lot of chop to sift through. We're not looking at any perfect, glassy gems in the immediate future, but there are a few windows where it could be worth a paddle if you're keen.

First up, the overall pattern is a bit of a struggle. We've got a persistent run of onshore and cross-onshore winds, which is going to make the surface lumpy and messy for a good stretch. The water is currently a balmy 66.6°, which is much warmer than we'd usually expect for this time of year – a real treat if you're brave enough to get in despite the conditions.

The first few days are a write-off for any real quality. Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th have tiny swell, with heights around 1.3ft to 3.3ft, and the wind is on it, killing any chance of a clean wave. That combined energy is weak, reading just 23 to 104 (moderate on the 17th morning). It's just not worth the effort.

We see a bit more size rolling in from Tuesday the 18th, but the wind shifts to a cross-onshore, and the waves are lumpy and choppy. Swell heights around 3.6ft to 4.3ft, but with that wind, it's a messy affair. Energy climbs a bit, hitting 145 (moderate) on the Tuesday morning.

The middle of the week gets a bit bigger, but the wind is stronger. Wednesday the 19th sees 5.6ft to 6.6ft of swell from the WNW, but with a fresh 18.6 mph cross-onshore, it's going to be a real battle. The combined energy jumps to 303 and 437 (moderate), but the quality is poor.

Now, here's a glimmer. Thursday the 20th morning brings a 6.2ft swell from the WNW with a period of 9 seconds and a combined energy of 594 (moderate). The wind turns onshore from the NW in the afternoon, but that morning session might have some push. Still, it's a rain shower day, so you'll be dodging drops.

We get a bit of a break Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd, with the swell dropping right back down to 1.3ft to 3.3ft. The wind is still a factor, mostly cross or cross-on. The energy is weak, between 58 and 184. Not much to write home about.

Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th are about as flat as it gets. Swell heights drop to 0.3ft to 2.3ft, with very low energy readings (19 to 58). The wind is cross-shore, but there's just no swell to work with. It's a gap of a few days where you'd be better off staying on the beach.

We start to see a pulse of energy again from Wednesday the 26th. The morning has a 2.3ft swell from the W with a 9-second period, and the wind is on, so it might be clean but small. The energy is 137 (moderate). The afternoon picks up to 4.3ft from the W, but the wind goes cross-onshore.

Thursday the 27th morning has a 4.9ft swell from the W with a 7-second period and a combined energy of 228 (moderate). The wind is cross-onshore again, so expect chop.

Now, the big news is towards the end of the month. Friday the 28th is going to be a mess. A strong breeze of 24.9-28.0 mph from the W and WNW will create strong cross-onshore conditions and messy surf. Swell is around 5.2ft, but the energy is 240 (moderate). This is more of a kite-surfing day than a paddling one.

The standout, if you can call it that, is the weekend of the 29th and 30th of August. Saturday the 29th afternoon brings a solid 9.8ft swell from the W with a 9-second period and a combined energy of 1366 (strong to very strong). This is a big, powerful swell. However, the wind is a fresh 21.7 mph cross-onshore, so it's going to be a lumpy, messy beast. At this size (over 8.2ft), it's strictly for experts only, and the cross-onshore wind will make it a battle. The morning of the 29th is a 8.2ft swell from the SW with a 6-second period and an energy of 538 (moderate). Again, cross-onshore and lumpy.

Sunday the 30th is similar, with 6.2ft to 6.6ft swell and strong cross-onshore winds. The energy is around 431-441 (moderate). This is more of the

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 16°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Wed night, light winds from the NNE by Fri morning).

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
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.9
WNW
6
1
W
8
1.1
W
7
1.4
WNW
6
1.3
W
6
1.6
W
7
1.6
WNW
7
1.8
W
7
2.3
W
8
1.7
WNW
7
1.6
W
9
1.1
W
9
0.9
W
8
0.8
W
8
0.8
NNW
5
1.2
N
6
1.2
N
5
0.8
N
5
0.4
W
9
0.4
W
9
0.2
WSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
60
121
111
160
135
233
232
320
701
286
412
194
105
82
33
101
85
32
25
25
20
Wind (km/h)
15
WNW
20
NW
25
W
25
WNW
30
WNW
25
W
30
W
35
W
30
W
25
WNW
25
NNW
10
N
5
N
20
N
20
NNE
15
NNE
20
NNE
15
NNE
15
NNE
25
N
20
NNE
Wind State
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
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross
High Tide
8:56AM6.26m
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
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:11
6:11
6:13
6:15
6:16
6:18
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:37
8:35
8:32
8:30
8:29
8:27
8:24
 mm
2
2
2
Temp °C
20
18
19
19
18
18
18
18
17
17
17
16
16
16
15
17
18
17
17
17
16
Feels °C
19
16
17
16
14
15
13
11
11
13
13
13
15
12
12
13
14
14
14
13
13
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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