Surf Forecasts:
Folkestone surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 4s period, NE swell with 36 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Folkestone this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Folkestone in the next 16 days are 1.0m 4s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) 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 0.8m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 4s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Folkestone over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s be honest with you, mate. Folkestone is looking like a flat spell for the foreseeable future. The whole 16-day window is a write-off in terms of decent surf. There’s just nothing on offer that’s worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny, the periods are short, and the wind is all over the shop. It’s a grim run.
The only real blip of any energy comes on the 16th of July, Thursday afternoon. We’ve got a weak 3ft NE windswell with a period of only 5 seconds, and the combined energy is a paltry 31 (weak). On top of that, the wind is a messy cross-shore at 15 mph, so it’s just going to be choppy and poor. The water’s sitting at 66°, which is a massive 6° warmer than normal for this time of year—very unusual, but it won’t save this session.
After that, it’s a long, dry gap. From Friday the 17th right through to the 31st of July, the forecasts are full of zeros for surf. You’ll see tiny, inconsistent scraps of 0.3ft to 2ft, mostly from the NE or SW, but they’re all paired with poor or no wind conditions. The best you’ll get is a few clean mornings with offshore or cross-off breezes, but there’s no swell to ride. On the 24th of July, there’s a little 1ft bump from the SSW, but the period is 3 seconds and the energy is only 4 (weak). It’s a tease.
Honestly, this is a classic blank run for a sheltered spot like this. It’s not a place that’s known for lighting up when the charts are this quiet. The odd window on the 27th and 28th of July shows a tiny bit of swell (1ft to 3ft) from the SW, but the wind is either cross or cross-on, and the period is still short. It’s not going to be fun.
If you’re desperate for a paddle, you might get a few ankle-biters on the 27th of July, Monday morning, when there’s a light offshore wind from the WNW and a tiny 1ft SW swell. The period is still only 3 seconds, so it’ll be weak and gutless. The 28th of July, Tuesday afternoon, has the biggest swell of the entire run at 3ft from the SW, but the period is 4 seconds and the wind is a light cross-shore. The energy is 27 (weak). It’s still poor.
All in all, this is a storm to sit out. The forecast can change, but right now, there’s nothing to get excited about. Keep the board in the car and wait for the next system.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 14°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SW on Fri afternoon, fresh winds from the NE by Sat afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 13°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 7 | W 7 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NE 3 | NE 6 | NE 5 | SSW 3 | NE 3 | NNE 5 | W 6 | SW 4 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 2:03PM7.01m | 2:26AM6.78m | 2:48PM6.84m | 3:13AM6.51m | 3:34PM6.56m | 3:59AM6.16m | 4:21PM6.19m | 4:48AM5.77m | 5:12PM5.78m | 5:42AM5.39m | 6:09PM5.40m | 6:44AM5.10m | 7:14PM5.14m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:55AM0.06m | 9:19PM0.02m | 9:37AM0.22m | 10:01PM0.21m | 10:18AM0.51m | 10:41PM0.53m | 10:58AM0.87m | 11:21PM0.93m | 11:37AM1.27m | 00:02AM1.34m | 12:17PM1.65m | 00:45AM1.73m | 1:04PM1.99m | 1:38AM2.03m | |||||||
 | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |
 | 4:58 | — | — | 5:00 | — | — | 5:01 | — | — | 5:03 | — | — | 5:03 | — | — | 5:05 | — | — | 5:07 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:58 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:54 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | NE 5 | NE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 5 | SW 4 | — | NE 6 | NNE 6 |
| kJ | 1 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 16 | 3 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 6 | — | — | NNE 6 | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 4 | — | — | — |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | NE 5 | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 4 | NE 3 | — | — | SSW 3 | NE 3 | NNE 5 | NNE 6 | SW 4 |
| kJ | 11 | 10 | — | 3 | 16 | 31 | 34 | 32 | 35 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 9 | 4 | — | — | 3 | 7 | 23 | 40 | 10 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 683 | 683 | 1724 | 531 | 613 | 471 | 471 | 471 | 471 | 140 | 245 | 471 | 347 | 391 | 398 | 181 | 194 | 216 | 149 | 402 | 216 |
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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