
Surf Forecasts:
Fistral-South surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, W swell with 288 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 11s period with W 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Fistral-South in the next 16 days are 1.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 4s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fistral-South over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, folks, Rusty here with a look at the next couple of weeks for Fistral-South. I gotta be straight with you – for the most part, this forecast is a bit of a tough pill to swallow. We’re looking at a long, dry spell of poor surf conditions stretching from now almost all the way through to the end of the week after next. The wind is just a mess, mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell is tiny and weak. It’s one of those quiet periods where you might as well polish your board and wait.
We kick off this morning, the 11th of August, with a light offshore breeze from the SE, but the swell is barely a ripple – 1ft from the WNW with a short period of 8 seconds and combined energy of just 28 (weak). It's clean, sure, but there's nothing to ride.
That pattern just continues day after day. Wednesday the 12th brings a tiny bump to 3ft from the west, but the wind swings cross-shore. The combined energy climbs slightly to 126 (moderate), but it’s still poor. Thursday the 13th sees the swell push to 4ft from the WNW with a period of 11 seconds and a combined energy of 267 (moderate), but a strong onshore wind from the NNW just destroys any chance of a wave. It’s the same story right through the 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th. The swell height teases between 1ft and 4ft, but the wind is always wrong – onshore, cross-onshore, or a stiff cross-breeze. The water temp is about average for this time of year, but you wouldn't want to be out there.
Now, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a long way off, so treat this as promising but not set in stone. On Friday the 21st of August, things finally line up. We’ve got a clean, offshore breeze from the ESE with a light breeze. The swell jumps to a proper 6ft in the morning from the WNW, with a period of just 7 seconds, and a combined energy of 411 (strong). By the afternoon it's pushing 7ft from the west with 8-second period and a combined energy of 598 (strong). That’s some serious size – too much for beginners, but solid for experienced surfers. The wind is offshore and light, so it should be clean. However, keep in mind that the period is short (under 8 seconds), so it’s a windswell-charged affair, not a long, grinding groundswell. Plus, with it being a fairly exposed beach break, it’s a spot where crowds are likely.
After that brief window, Saturday the 22nd of August sees the wind turn back onshore from the west, turning the surf messy with a choppy cross-onshore wind, and the swell slowly fades into the following week.
So, to sum it up: the only real standout is Friday the 21st of August at Fistral-South. It’s the only day with clean conditions and proper swell. Everything else is a washout. If that forecast holds, it’ll be worth the wait, but don’t hold your breath for the rest of it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu night, min 16°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 13 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | N 4 | N 4 | WNW 9 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
20 | 13 | 59 | 125 | 139 | 175 | 267 | 237 | 181 | 126 | 215 | 135 | 127 | 93 | 40 | 27 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 28 | 48 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:37AM5.77m | 5:03PM6.19m | 5:30AM6.18m | 5:52PM6.64m | 6:17AM6.50m | 6:37PM6.94m | 7:00AM6.68m | 7:19PM7.04m | 7:40AM6.69m | 7:58PM6.95m | 8:18AM6.55m | 8:37PM6.67m | 8:56AM6.26m | 9:15PM6.25m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:03AM0.90m | 11:34PM0.54m | 11:53AM0.48m | 00:21AM0.17m | 12:37PM0.18m | 1:04AM-0.04m | 1:19PM0.04m | 1:44AM-0.06m | 1:57PM0.07m | 2:22AM0.10m | 2:35PM0.27m | 2:58AM0.40m | 3:11PM0.60m | 3:33AM0.81m | |||||||
6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | |
— | 8:47 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | — | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | N 4 | W 8 |
20 | 11 | 59 | 125 | 139 | 175 | 267 | 237 | 181 | 126 | — | 135 | 127 | 93 | 40 | 27 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 48 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | W 9 | W 7 | SW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | — | — | — | WSW 8 | WNW 5 | W 4 | W 10 | WNW 9 | N 4 |
1 | 7 | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 28 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 13 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 13 | — | — | — | — | W 18 | W 18 | W 18 | W 7 | W 16 |
8 | 13 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSE 2 | S 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 6 | W 9 | NNW 4 | N 5 | N 5 | N 4 | N 4 | N 3 | N 4 | N 4 | — | — |
— | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 53 | 215 | 2 | 22 | 15 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 20 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 388 | 232 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 8 | 30 | 217 | 1 | 16 | 41 | 41 | 73 | 41 | 270 | 393 | 274 | 386 | 347 | 40 | 4 |
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.











