Surf Forecasts:
Gwithian surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 8s period, WNW swell with 542 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Gwithian this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Gwithian in the next 16 days are 2.2m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 22) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Gwithian over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here again, giving you the same rundown but in feet and miles per hour for the old school crew.
Straight up, the first week and a half is a stinker. From the 16th through to the 27th of August, it’s onshore winds, bumpy water, and the swell is tiny and gutless. The water temp is nothing special for this time of year. The waves are barely a foot or two, the period is short, and the wind is smashing it flat. The swell energy is weak, mostly in the low to mid hundreds. It’s a long wait for something good.
Then, on the morning of the 28th of August, we get a real shot. The swell pushes up to about 8ft from the west, with a 10-second period. The combined energy jumps to 1048, which is serious. But listen, that 8ft is for the experienced crew only – it’s too big for beginners. The wind is light from the southwest, so it’ll be cross-shore and clean. This is your only real window. The swell direction is bang on from the west.
After that morning, it fades fast. The afternoon of the 28th drops off, and the rest of the run into the 31st is back to onshore winds and small, messy surf. That one morning on the 28th is your shot, and it’s a good one if you’ve got the skills. Otherwise, it’s a long, quiet stretch.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 10 | N 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 16 | 25 | 12 | 39 | 118 | 94 | 139 | 115 | 143 | 121 | 212 | 542 | 254 | 318 | 181 | 101 | 71 | 39 | 21 | 48 | 94 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:16AM6.22m | 8:35PM6.34m | 8:54AM5.95m | 9:13PM5.94m | 9:32AM5.59m | 9:51PM5.46m | 10:11AM5.16m | 10:33PM4.95m | 10:55AM4.73m | 11:23PM4.49m | 11:54AM4.34m | 00:34AM4.14m | 1:19PM4.14m | 2:09AM4.07m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:34PM0.24m | 2:57AM0.37m | 3:10PM0.56m | 3:32AM0.76m | 3:47PM0.96m | 4:08AM1.21m | 4:26PM1.41m | 4:48AM1.66m | 5:13PM1.84m | 5:40AM2.06m | 6:18PM2.19m | 6:57AM2.32m | 7:53PM2.32m | ||||||||
 | |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | | | |  | | |  | | |
 | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — |
 | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 14 |
Feels °C | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 9 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 17 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | WNW 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | N 4 | N 6 | W 10 |
| kJ | 16 | 25 | 8 | 39 | 12 | 10 | 28 | 11 | 29 | 47 | 24 | 23 | 254 | 318 | 181 | 101 | 71 | 35 | 5 | 22 | 30 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | SW 18 | N 3 | SW 18 | — | SW 16 | SSW 17 | — | — | WNW 11 | — | — | WNW 9 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | N 4 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 10 | SE 6 |
| kJ | 11 | 13 | 1 | 12 | — | 10 | 28 | — | — | 12 | — | — | 138 | 33 | 19 | 6 | 17 | 39 | 21 | 48 | 11 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | — | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 16 | — | — | SSW 14 | — | — | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | W 11 | W 10 | SE 6 | SW 15 |
| kJ | 3 | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 24 | — | — | 21 | — | — | 17 | 25 | 9 | 18 | 10 | 54 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | N 4 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | — | N 5 | N 5 | — | N 5 | N 4 | ENE 2 | E 6 | N 6 |
| kJ | 12 | 3 | 4 | 37 | 118 | 94 | 139 | 115 | 143 | 121 | 212 | 542 | — | 16 | 16 | — | 21 | 13 | 1 | 182 | 94 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 253 | 306 | 246 | 275 | 211 | 279 | 275 | 211 | 211 | 214 | 258 | 214 | 214 | 210 | 94 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 28 | 14 | 160 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Gwithian Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Gwithian provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Gwithian can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Gwithian 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 (Gwithian) 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 Gwithian 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.
Gwithian is 6 km (4 miles) from Camborne. If you plan a holiday in North Cornwall, look for hotels and other accommodation in Camborne. Camborne has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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