Surf Forecasts:
Fistral-South surf forecast from 18 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, N swell with 160 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period with NNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Fistral-South this week:
The surf forecast for Fistral-South over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 8s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fistral-South in the next 16 days are 1.5m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 23) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
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 Fistral-South has in store. Straight up, it’s a rough run ahead. We’ve got a long stretch of messy, onshore wind and mostly small, weak swell. The water’s sitting at 64°, which is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re getting disappointed.
The whole first week is pretty much a write-off. From Friday 17th July through to Monday 27th July, it’s a relentless grind of cross-onshore winds, mostly from the north, with swell heights barely tickling 3ft and periods under 8 seconds – short-period wind slop. Wave energy is low, often below 100 (27 to 94). The only faint glimmer is Tuesday 21st morning, when we get a clean window with an east-northeasterly cross-offshore breeze and 2ft of short-period swell, but it’s still pretty ordinary. Not worth getting excited about.
Things start to change around Monday 27th July. The swell picks up – 7ft to 7ft from the west-northwest, with period stretching to 7–8 seconds. Wave energy jumps to 397 and then 514 – that’s moderate to strong energy. But here’s the kicker: the wind is onshore from the northwest, making it messy. That size (over 6ft) is expert territory, and with onshore wind, it’s going to be a battle. Not a standout.
Tuesday 28th July morning sees 6ft from the west-northwest and moderate cross-onshore wind – still lumpy. The afternoon drops to 5ft with onshore wind. No real winners.
The best on offer – and I say this with caution – is Wednesday 29th July afternoon. You’ve got 3ft from the west-northwest at 6 seconds, but the wind is a fresh 30 km/h cross-onshore. Not clean. Wave energy is 147, still moderate. Not a standout.
Honestly, this forecast is a tough one. There’s no real window of clean, quality surf. The swell direction (west to west-northwest) is in the ballpark for Fistral-South’s optimum (WSW), but the wind nearly always ruins it. Crowds are often a factor here anyway, but with conditions this average, it’ll be less busy. If you’re desperate, the period around 27th–29th July has the most size, but only for experts who don’t mind onshore chop. For the rest of us, it’s a waiting game.
Stay hopeful, forecasts can change. Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Fri night, min 16°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Tue morning, fresh winds from the N by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 5 | NNW 5 | N 6 | W 7 | N 5 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | W 9 | N 6 | N 5 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 28 | 78 | 77 | 4 | 15 | 18 | 29 | 40 | 49 | 40 | 43 | 47 | 65 | 74 | 14 | 62 | 24 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 7 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:47AM6.34m | 9:08PM6.57m | 9:31AM6.06m | 9:52PM6.19m | 10:15AM5.70m | 10:37PM5.73m | 11:02AM5.33m | 11:26PM5.27m | 11:54AM4.98m | 00:23AM4.88m | 12:56PM4.72m | 1:30AM4.63m | 2:08PM4.63m | 2:43AM4.60m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:05PM0.43m | 3:34AM0.50m | 3:48PM0.75m | 4:17AM0.88m | 4:32PM1.13m | 5:01AM1.29m | 5:19PM1.53m | 5:49AM1.68m | 6:13PM1.88m | 6:45AM2.00m | 7:18PM2.13m | 7:54AM2.18m | 8:34PM2.18m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | N 6 | W 7 | W 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | N 5 | NNW 4 | W 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 12 | 11 | 4 | 33 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 24 | 38 | 33 | 33 | 31 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | W 7 | SW 19 | W 12 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | W 16 | W 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | W 14 | W 8 | W 8 | — | — |
| kJ | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 12 | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | — | W 21 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 18 | W 16 | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | N 5 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
| kJ | 1 | — | 9 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 2 | 7 | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 5 | NNW 5 | N 6 | ESE 2 | N 5 | N 4 | N 5 | N 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | — | — | N 3 | — |
| kJ | 28 | 78 | 77 | 1 | 13 | 18 | 29 | 40 | 49 | 40 | 43 | 47 | 65 | 74 | 199 | 62 | 24 | — | — | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 402 | 569 | 64 | 393 | 40 | 388 | 384 | 388 | 249 | 0 | 40 | 336 | 336 | 217 | 240 | 64 | 530 | 487 | 399 | 417 | 404 |
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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