Surf Forecasts:
Folkestone surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 5s period, SW swell with 98 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Folkestone this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Folkestone in the next 16 days are 1.4m 5s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) 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 1.2m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Folkestone over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you. I’ve scanned the charts for the next couple of weeks, and it’s a bit of a tough stretch for us. We’re looking at a real lull to start, so don’t be in a hurry to wax up.
The window kicks off on Tuesday, August 18th, and honestly, there’s just nothing doing. The ocean’s flat and blown out for the first few days. It’s not until Wednesday afternoon, August 19th, that we even see a pulse of swell, and it’s a weak one with a cross-shore breeze messing it up. We’ll see a bit of size build into Thursday afternoon, August 20th, with a 5ft SW swell, but the 25 mph winds will have it all chopped out. It’s not going to be pretty.
After that, we fall off a cliff. From Friday, August 21st, right through to Sunday, August 30th, it’s essentially flat. There’s no decent swell and the wind is all over the place. This is a real bleak stretch, a week and a half of nothing. Sure, there’s a tiny blip on Monday morning, August 31st, where we get a glassy 3ft SW swell, but it’s weak and short-period. It's a tease, at best.
Towards the end of the run, the models are hinting at something, but it’s a long way out. Around Tuesday, September 2nd, there’s a suggestion of a more consistent 4ft SW swell, but it’s still battling strong cross-shore winds. It’s promising, but at that range, I wouldn't book the time off work just yet.
So, really, there’s no standout day here. The only option that looks remotely surfable is that brief window on Thursday afternoon, August 20th, at Folkestone. Even then, it’s not going to be great. With 5ft of short-period swell and strong winds, the combo of beach and reef here will be messy. It’s more of a “check it if you’re desperate” kind of deal. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so at least you won’t freeze while you’re wondering why you came out. For the forecast period, the energy in the water is weak, with the best pulse only reaching a combined energy of 102. Overall, this looks like a waiting game. The ocean’s gonna need a few days to wake up.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Tue night, fresh winds from the SW by Thu morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 3 | SW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 3 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 5 | W 6 | W 8 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 7 | NE 4 | N 7 | SW 3 | SW 3 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 98 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
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 | off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 3:43PM6.36m | 4:05AM5.95m | 4:25PM5.88m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:19AM0.77m | 10:40PM0.91m | 10:53AM1.20m | 11:14PM1.36m | 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 | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  |  |  | | |  | | | |  | | | | | | | |
 | 5:45 | — | — | 5:47 | — | — | 5:48 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:54 | — | — |
 | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:05 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 6 | N 6 | N 6 | — | N 7 | N 7 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 5 | W 6 | W 6 | — | W 6 | NE 4 | NE 4 | — | N 7 | N 7 | N 7 |
| kJ | — | — | 16 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | — | — | W 8 | — | — | N 7 | NE 7 | NE 4 | — | W 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 3 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 3 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 5 | SW 5 | NNE 3 | NE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | — | — | — | SW 3 | SW 3 |
| kJ | 7 | 39 | 97 | 3 | 58 | 14 | 10 | 98 | 42 | 5 | 36 | 39 | 44 | 45 | 15 | 5 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 526 | 436 | 436 | 0 | 501 | 436 | 436 | 365 | 416 | 52 | 365 | 216 | 216 | 347 | 471 | 140 | 181 | 471 | 181 | 261 | 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.
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