
Surf Forecasts:
Folkestone surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 5s period, SW swell with 152 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 5s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Folkestone over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s get real about what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks at Folkestone. I’ve got to be straight with you – it’s a pretty quiet stretch. The forecast is showing a long run of days where the swell is either tiny or non-existent, and the wind is often a problem. We’re looking at a gap from Wednesday, August 5th, all the way through to the end of the forecast on Thursday, August 20th, with basically no proper surfable waves. The first few days have some size, but the conditions are so poor you wouldn’t want to be out there.
The main issue is that when there is any swell energy, the wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore, and often strong. For instance, on Wednesday morning, August 5th, we’ve got a 4ft SW swell, but it’s coming with a 22 mph cross wind, making a total mess. The combined energy of all swells directed here is only 63, which is weak. It’s just not worth it. The afternoon gets worse, with a 5ft SW swell, but a 28 mph cross wind and a combined energy of 152, which is moderate, but the wind makes it a total write-off. It’s the kind of setup that would be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
After that, the swell drops to nothing. Thursday morning, August 6th, we’re down to 1ft, then it’s all flat or close to it for the next two weeks. We get a few pulses of tiny swell, like 2ft on Wednesday, August 12th, but the wind is onshore or cross, so it’s choppy and lumpy. Even when the wind goes offshore or glassy, like Sunday morning, August 9th, or Monday morning, August 10th, there is zero swell. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no drama there.
There is a glimmer of something on Thursday afternoon, August 13th, with a 4ft SW swell and a combined energy of 82, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross breeze, and the forecast says “poor surf conditions.” This is the closest thing to a standout, but it’s not a good one. The swell is a short period 5 seconds, which is windswell, and the wind will ruin it. The break itself is a beach and reef setup, but it’s inconsistent and sheltered. It’s not going to be firing.
Honestly, this is a blank run. For Folkestone, this kind of extended flat spell is more normal than unusual. Don’t expect much, and keep an eye on the forecasts – things can change, but right now, it’s not looking good.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the ESE by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat afternoon, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 5 | SW 5 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 5 | SW 6 | SW 5 | SW 5 | NE 8 | N 8 | ENE 2 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | WSW 4 | NNE 4 | W 6 | SW 3 | N 6 | — | ENE 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
63 | 152 | 33 | 6 | 13 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:08AM6.28m | 4:30PM6.31m | 4:58AM5.98m | 5:25PM5.98m | 6:00AM5.66m | 6:32PM5.68m | 7:13AM5.46m | 7:49PM5.57m | 8:30AM5.50m | 9:02PM5.71m | 9:38AM5.78m | 10:06PM6.03m | 10:36AM6.17m | 11:02PM6.40m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:04AM1.01m | 11:29PM1.04m | 11:48AM1.31m | 00:17AM1.33m | 12:41PM1.61m | 1:21AM1.60m | 1:57PM1.83m | 2:50AM1.69m | 3:36PM1.76m | 4:22AM1.45m | 4:58PM1.36m | 5:30AM1.00m | 5:58PM0.82m | ||||||||
5:24 | — | — | 5:26 | — | — | 5:28 | — | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | |
— | 8:35 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 16 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 6 | — | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | SW 6 | SW 5 | — | NE 8 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | WSW 4 | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | W 7 |
1 | — | 33 | 6 | — | 11 | 1 | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 6 | — | — | SW 5 | — | — | N 7 | N 7 | N 6 | N 6 | — | — | SW 4 | W 5 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 9 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | N 6 | N 6 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 5 | SW 5 | WNW 3 | WNW 3 | SW 5 | — | NNE 4 | ENE 2 | — | — | ENE 2 | — | — | — | NNW 2 | NNE 4 | — | SW 3 | — | — | ENE 4 |
63 | 152 | 3 | 1 | 13 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | — | 1 | — | — | 19 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 521 | 436 | 526 | 464 | 342 | 181 | 181 | 234 | 327 | 498 | 511 | 365 | 498 | 519 | 479 | 479 | 291 | 477 | 668 | 479 | 291 |
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.











