
Surf Forecasts:
Folkestone surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 5s period, ENE swell with 64 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Folkestone this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Folkestone in the next 16 days are 1.1m 5s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Folkestone over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me tell you, it’s a tough stretch ahead. I’ve scanned the charts and the outlook for Folkestone is pretty grim for the next couple of weeks. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with hardly anything worth paddling out for.
Right off the bat, the early part of the forecast is a write-off. From Tuesday the 11th all the way through the rest of August, it’s mostly tiny, weak windswell. The water is about 69°F – that’s a wild 6°F warmer than normal for this time of year, which is very unusual. You’ll feel like you’re surfing in bathwater, but with nothing to ride.
The wind is a constant problem, with strong easterlies and northeasterlies most days, keeping things choppy and bumpy. The energy in the water is weak, with combined swell energy values sitting well below 100 for nearly every day. We’ve got a couple of mornings with a clean look, like Friday the 14th morning and Thursday the 21st morning, but the swell is flat – just 0.3ft. That’s not surf, that’s a lake.
There is one small glimmer right at the very end. On Wednesday the 26th in the afternoon, we finally see a pulse of swell from the southwest. It’s only 5ft at 6 seconds, so it’s short-period, but the energy jumps up to 120, which is moderate. The wind goes light offshore from the west-southwest, cleaning it up. For a break that’s sheltered and faces southwest, that’s the best we’ll get. But it’s still just “surfable but very ordinary” – nothing to get excited about. Don’t expect any gems, but if you’re desperate, that’s the one window in over two weeks.
The crowds at Folkestone can show up sometimes, but with conditions this poor, you’ll likely have the place to yourself. Honestly, with the inconsistent nature of this spot and the long gaps of no swell, this kind of blank run isn’t unusual. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, my recommendation is to save your energy.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Tue afternoon, light winds from the E by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Fri night, fresh winds from the ENE by Mon morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | SSE 4 | ENE 4 | W 8 | W 7 | SW 3 | SW 4 | S 3 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NE 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | NE 4 | NE 4 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
54 | 53 | 25 | 19 | 27 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 27 | 24 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:02PM6.40m | 11:28AM6.59m | 11:52PM6.74m | 12:15PM6.93m | 00:38AM6.96m | 1:00PM7.14m | 1:22AM7.04m | 1:42PM7.18m | 2:03AM6.96m | 2:23PM7.05m | 2:44AM6.74m | 3:03PM6.77m | 3:24AM6.39m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:58PM0.82m | 6:24AM0.53m | 6:48PM0.34m | 7:11AM0.17m | 7:33PM-0.00m | 7:53AM-0.02m | 8:15PM-0.16m | 8:33AM-0.04m | 8:54PM-0.11m | 9:10AM0.11m | 9:30PM0.11m | 9:45AM0.40m | 10:06PM0.47m | |||||||
— | — | 5:35 | — | — | 5:37 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:39 | — | — | 5:41 | — | — | 5:43 | — | — | |
8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 32 | 33 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 14 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | SE 4 | — | — | NE 5 | — | NE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 | SW 4 | — | SW 5 | W 6 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 |
1 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 5 | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SSE 3 | W 11 | W 10 | SSE 4 | W 9 | W 8 | — | W 6 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — |
— | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 4 | ENE 4 | — | ENE 4 | — | — | SW 3 | — | S 3 | ENE 2 | NNE 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | NE 4 | NE 4 |
54 | 53 | 25 | 19 | 27 | — | 8 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 1 | 10 | 21 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 27 | 24 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 291 | 291 | 268 | 268 | 243 | 354 | 495 | 327 | 369 | 502 | 479 | 427 | 427 | 363 | 691 | 538 | 738 | 712 | 683 | 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.











