
Surf Forecasts:
Folkestone surf forecast from 9 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 12 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, NE swell with 187 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Folkestone this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Folkestone in the next 16 days are 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 12) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.7m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 12) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sun 12th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Folkestone over the next 16 days.
Alright, let’s get into it. I’m lookin’ at the charts for Folkestone and, mate, it’s a tough stretch. This is a sheltered little nook that really needs a clean south-west groundswell and some friendly wind to light up, but that combo just isn’t comin’ together in this 16-day window. The water’s sitting at a balmy 64° – that’s much warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezin’ waitin’ for a wave that never shows.
We’re startin’ right now, Thursday the 9th of July, and there’s absolutely zilch on offer. No swell, no shape, just a flat sea. That’s gonna drag on. Friday the 10th scrapes up a tiny 0.98-ft ENE bump with a short 4-second period, but with a fresh cross-shore 19 mph wind on it, it’s messy chop. Saturday and Sunday (11th and 12th) are no better – cross-shore winds are howlin’ at 19 to 28 mph, and while the swell climbs to 4-ft on Sunday morning, that combined energy is still weak at 74, and the strong breeze is just tearin’ it up. Sunday afternoon pushes 5-ft (136 combined energy), but it’s blown out and lumpy – that’s only for the hardcore crew, and even then it’s not pretty.
Monday the 13th through Wednesday the 15th is a rinse and repeat of 4-ft to 5-ft NE windswell with periods barely reaching 6 seconds. The wind stays cross or cross-off, and the sea state is mostly cross-chop. Wednesday afternoon finally cleans up a bit with a moderate cross-off, but the swell is still junk at 5-ft with a weak period. Then Thursday the 16th drops back to tiny 1-ft from the SSE. Honestly, through the first whole week, there’s not a single session I’d paddle out for.
Now, into the second week, it gets even quieter. Friday the 17th morning goes glassy, but there’s no swell – a complete blank. Saturday the 18th has a moderate offshore wind from the NW, but again, zero surf. Sunday the 19th finally coughs up a 1-ft to 2-ft NE bump with a 3-second period, and the wind turns offshore in the afternoon. It’s clean, but the combined energy is only 6 – that’s barely a ripple. You’d be bobbin’ around on a lake. Monday the 20th afternoon sees a little 3-ft SW swell creep in with gentle offshore breezes, and that’s the closest thing to a highlight across the whole outlook. Combined energy is still low at 28, and the period is a short 4 seconds, but at least it’s clean. Tuesday the 21st repeats that same 3-ft SW swell, but the wind shifts to cross-off and freshens up. After that, it’s back to tiny dribbles of SW swell (0.33-ft to 1-ft) with clean cross-off or offshore winds through Wednesday the 22nd to Friday the 24th, but there’s just no energy to work with – combined energy values are 1 or 2. Friday afternoon turns glassy again, but with only 1-ft of 3-second slop, it’s still a flat day.
So, the best on offer? Honestly, there isn’t one true standout. The only window with something rideable and clean is Monday the 20th afternoon into Tuesday the 21st, when that little 3-ft SW swell shows up with offshore or clean cross-off wind. Folkestone is an inconsistent spot that needs the right direction, and this 16-day forecast is a long, flat run. For a more exposed beach setup like this, with the swell being weak and the wind often strong and cross-shore, it’s looking more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer for most of this period. Hang tight – forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a bleak one.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Thu morning, fresh winds from the NE by Sat night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 15°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NE on Sun afternoon, light winds from the NNE by Tue night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 9 | Friday 10 | Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 7 | ENE 2 | ENE 3 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 26 | 20 | 22 | 34 | 34 | 74 | 136 | 0 | 102 | 102 | 55 | 49 | 49 | 18 | 84 | 120 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:08PM5.77m | 7:47AM5.67m | 8:16PM5.85m | 8:52AM5.84m | 9:20PM6.07m | 9:52AM6.11m | 10:18PM6.35m | 10:48AM6.43m | 11:12PM6.64m | 11:39AM6.72m | 00:03AM6.86m | 12:29PM6.93m | 00:52AM6.97m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:15PM1.55m | 1:51AM1.42m | 2:23PM1.63m | 3:08AM1.41m | 3:47PM1.53m | 4:30AM1.20m | 5:04PM1.22m | 5:38AM0.85m | 6:07PM0.81m | 6:35AM0.49m | 7:00PM0.42m | 7:25AM0.20m | 7:49PM0.13m | ||||||||
4:50 | — | — | 4:50 | — | — | 4:52 | — | — | 4:52 | — | — | 4:54 | — | — | 4:54 | — | — | 4:56 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:04 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 27 | 26 | 23 |
Feels °C | 25 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 25 | 23 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 7 | N 6 | N 6 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 |
2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 126 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | ENE 2 | ENE 3 | ENE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | ENE 6 |
— | 1 | 5 | 3 | 26 | 20 | 22 | 34 | 34 | 74 | 136 | 226 | 102 | 102 | 55 | 49 | 49 | 18 | 84 | 120 | 91 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 319 | 427 | 268 | 319 | 379 | 319 | 404 | 423 | 404 | 725 | 584 | 465 | 791 | 438 | 206 | 433 | 149 | 40 | 136 | 82 | 39 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Coast of England | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Folkestone Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Folkestone provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Folkestone can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Folkestone 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 (Folkestone) 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 Folkestone 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.
Folkestone is 1 km (1 miles) from Folkestone. If you plan a holiday in South Coast of England, look for hotels and other accommodation in Folkestone. Folkestone has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










