
Surf Forecasts:
Fistral-South surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 21 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, N swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, N swell with 74 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 21 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period with N 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 0.9m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 7s 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 1.1m 6s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) 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 0.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Tue 21st Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Fistral-South over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright my friends, Rusty here again, but this time in the old school measurements. Let's break down Fistral-South for the next couple of weeks.
Right, the water's sitting at a very pleasant 64°F, which is a touch warmer than what we'd usually expect for this time of year – feels good on the skin.
Now, the outlook is a slow starter, no two ways about it. From Wednesday the 15th all the way through to Monday the 27th of July, it's a pretty grim stretch. We're looking at wave heights that barely reach 3 feet, often with a period of only 5 to 6 seconds. That's short-period, wind-slop, not proper groundswell. The wind's mostly blowing on it or cross-on shore, just chopping everything up. The combined swell energy is weak, rarely getting above 100 (moderate wave energy) – we're seeing numbers like 24 and 63. For a solid week and a half, it's not worth paddling out. The setups look more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, if you're into that.
Things finally get interesting as we head towards the end of the month. The first real standout is shaping up for Tuesday the 28th of July into Wednesday the 29th. Tuesday afternoon sees a jump in swell height to about 6 feet from the west, but with a short period of 7 seconds. The combined swell energy jumps to 312 (moderate wave energy). Still, the wind is onshore.
But the absolute standout of the whole 16-day window is Wednesday morning on the 29th of July. We're looking at a solid 7 feet swell from the west, with a period of 9 seconds – that's a proper groundswell. The combined swell energy is pumping at 613 (strong wave energy). The wind is a light cross-on from the north, but the key is it's described as clean. For a west swell hitting Fistral-South (Fistral), which is fairly exposed to the west and works best with a WSW direction (this is close enough), this is serious. The wave state is clean, and with that size, it's for intermediate and above – this is too big for beginners. That's your window. Get on it early.
After that, Thursday the 30th offers a 5-foot swell from the west with a 9-second period, but it's described as marginal, likely due to tide. The winds stay onshore or cross-on, and the combined energy drops back to the 100s (moderate wave energy).
So to wrap it up: the first week and a half is a write-off. Don't even think about it. But if you can hold out, that Wednesday morning on the 29th of July is the one to circle. It's a proper, solid, powerful swell. Expect crowds to be likely at that point. That's your only true standout. Keep an eye on the long-range stuff for changes, but as it stands, that's your shot.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wed 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | N 5 | N 5 | NNW 6 | SW 19 | W 9 | WNW 12 | NNW 5 | N 5 | N 5 | WNW 10 | N 5 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 30 | 21 | 22 | 29 | 47 | 58 | 52 | 15 | 6 | 13 | 28 | 62 | 45 | 33 | 25 | 15 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:51PM6.84m | 7:17AM6.57m | 7:38PM6.92m | 8:03AM6.52m | 8:23PM6.83m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:20AM0.07m | 1:37PM0.18m | 2:07AM0.06m | 2:22PM0.24m | 2:51AM0.21m | 3:05PM0.43m | 3:34AM0.50m | 3:48PM0.75m | 4:17AM0.88m | 4:32PM1.13m | 5:01AM1.29m | 5:19PM1.53m | 5:49AM1.68m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | |
— | 9:25 | — | — | 9:24 | — | — | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | 9:19 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | W 8 | W 9 | N 5 | NNW 5 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NNW 6 | N 5 | N 5 | NNW 4 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | N 5 | W 9 | W 9 |
8 | 6 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 30 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 52 | 21 | 18 | 7 | 12 | 22 | 33 | 29 | 16 | 15 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | SSW 7 | SW 7 | W 9 | W 8 | SW 13 | SW 5 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 12 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | WNW 12 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 10 | SW 16 | W 16 |
14 | 15 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 33 | 10 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 13 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 11 | SW 5 | — | W 21 | W 10 | SW 19 | W 12 | W 9 | W 8 | SW 18 | W 16 | W 7 | W 7 | — |
10 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | 9 | 2 | 15 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 4 | N 4 | — | — | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | N 5 | N 5 | — | — | — | — | NNW 5 | N 5 | N 5 | — | N 5 | N 4 |
— | — | 6 | 7 | — | — | 21 | 22 | 29 | 47 | 58 | — | — | — | — | 28 | 62 | 45 | — | 25 | 9 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 55 | 243 | 238 | 30 | 281 | 281 | 1195 | 405 | 402 | 569 | 241 | 4 | 55 | 393 | 388 | 388 | 57 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 55 |
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.











