Surf Forecasts:
Folkestone surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period, SSW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 6s period, SSW swell with 166 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 26 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 6s period with SSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Folkestone this week:
The surf forecast for Folkestone over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 6s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Folkestone in the next 16 days are 1.6m 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Folkestone over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Folkestone over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, mate, it’s a tough stretch. The forecast is a long, dry spell with very little to get excited about. We’re looking at a solid 16-day window, but the first proper surf worth mentioning doesn’t even show up until Thursday afternoon, August 20th, and even then it’s a struggle. There’s a massive gap of nothing from the start, and then it’s just a whole lot of poor conditions.
The first real pulse you might paddle out for is Thursday afternoon, August 20th. We’ve got a 5ft swell from the SW, but with a short period of 5 seconds and a strong cross-off wind 25 mph, it’s going to be a messy, choppy affair. The wave energy is weak (106), and the guide says it’s poor surf. Not worth a trip.
Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd are even worse. Tiny, weak, and messy. You’re better off staying home.
The next tiny glimmer is on Wednesday morning, August 26th. The swell picks up a little to 5ft from the SSW, with a period of 6 seconds – still short and weak. Wind is light from the SW, so it’s a gentle cross-shore, but the combined energy is only moderate (154). Still, the guide says poor surf. Not the one.
We get a slight bump again on Sunday, August 30th. Morning shows 5ft from the SSW, period of 6 seconds, with a moderate cross-off breeze from the WSW. Energy is moderate (138). It’s clean, but the swell is lacking shape and power. Afternoon pulls in 6ft from the SW, but the wind shifts onshore and the energy is still moderate (209). It’s not going to be good.
The standout? There isn’t one. Nothing in this 16-day window rises above “poor surf conditions.” The best you could hope for is maybe a quick, bumpy session on Sunday the 30th if you’re desperate, but don’t expect anything clean or powerful.
The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual there.
Overall, it’s a grim outlook. The swell is small, short-period, and the wind is often wrong. For a beach and reef setup like Folkestone, offshore is key, and we just don’t see it consistently. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on a few of those days, especially the windier ones.
Hang tight, mate. It tends not to stay this poor for long, and forecasts can change. But for now, leave the boards in the shed.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Thu morning, calm by Fri afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 16°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Sat night, strong winds from the ENE by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 4 | SW 5 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | W 9 | W 9 | W 6 | ENE 3 | E 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | S 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 3 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 106 | 34 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 56 | 59 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 154 | 95 | 8 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | cross | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 4:49AM5.48m | 5:13PM5.38m | 5:43AM5.02m | 6:15PM4.94m | 6:56AM4.70m | 7:36PM4.72m | 8:18AM4.65m | 8:52PM4.78m | 9:26AM4.87m | 9:52PM5.05m | 10:18AM5.23m | 10:39PM5.42m | 11:01AM5.67m | 11:19PM5.83m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:28AM1.62m | 11:52PM1.80m | 12:10PM2.02m | 00:41AM2.17m | 1:07PM2.35m | 1:55AM2.40m | 2:47PM2.47m | 3:47AM2.31m | 4:27PM2.20m | 4:58AM1.93m | 5:25PM1.75m | 5:46AM1.46m | 6:07PM1.26m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | |  | |
 | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — |
 | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:57 | — | — | 7:54 | — |
mm | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 |
Temp °C | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 18 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | — | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | — | — | W 6 | NE 7 | NNE 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | NE 7 | SSE 3 | — | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | — |
| kJ | 1 | — | 34 | 5 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 64 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 2 | — |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | W 6 | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | — | — | S 3 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 4 | SW 5 | NW 2 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NNE 4 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | — | — | — | ENE 3 | E 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | SSE 3 | SSW 4 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | S 3 |
| kJ | 25 | 106 | 1 | 17 | 21 | 16 | 19 | 10 | — | — | — | 3 | 12 | 56 | 59 | 53 | 2 | 28 | 154 | 95 | 8 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 471 | 436 | 79 | 365 | 268 | 319 | 245 | 149 | 181 | 181 | 477 | 291 | 527 | 446 | 483 | 268 | 415 | 32 | 140 | 291 | 173 |
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.
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