Surf Forecasts:
Gwithian surf forecast from 27 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 2 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period, WSW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, WSW swell with 2,009 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 2 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Gwithian this week:
The surf forecast for Gwithian over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 16s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Gwithian in the next 16 days are 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 30) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Gwithian over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, I’m looking at the next 16 days here, and I’ve gotta be straight with you – it’s been a rough stretch for Gwithian. We’ve got a run of poor surf and messy winds that starts right now and doesn’t let up for a good long while. The energy’s there in the water, but the wind just won’t play ball.
The first real chance to even get a paddle in comes on Wednesday, 2nd September. That morning we’ve got some small swell – 3 ft from the SSW, period only 5 seconds, so weak, short-period stuff. Combined energy is just 97, so barely a ripple. But the wind is glassy – dead calm – and that’s rare. It’s surfable, but ordinary. For beginners, it’s about as safe as it gets, and the lack of wind means clean, crumbly little waves. It won’t blow your mind, but it’s the only window of glass in the whole forecast.
After that, it’s back to the struggle. The wind swings onshore or cross-shore for days, and the swell is messy. Gwithian is a fairly exposed beach, so it cops all that wind. With the strongest cross-onshore gusts and that 12 ft swell on the 29th of August (combined energy 2009), it’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a paddle-surfing one. The waves will be blown out, lumpy, and dangerous for anyone but experts.
The closest thing to a standout? Honestly, I’d mark the morning of Monday, 7th September. We get a 8 ft WNW swell, period 8 seconds, combined energy 642. The wind is light, cross-onshore from the NW at 3 mph, so it’s nearly clean. That’s the biggest, most promising swell in the whole run, but it’s still only marginal. If you’re experienced and hungry, that’s your best bet in the entire 16-day window. But don’t expect perfection.
The rest of the time, it’s poor. The wind is fresh to strong, and the swell is either too weak or too blown out. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing unusual.
So yeah, hang tight, keep an eye on that early September window, but don’t hold your breath. The pattern’s been stubborn, and it might take a good shift in the weather to get Gwithian firing proper.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Wed night, strong winds from the WSW by Sat morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun morning, min 16°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | SW 6 | SW 7 | WSW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 9 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
46 | 52 | 64 | 241 | 277 | 116 | 621 | 2009 | 1088 | 533 | 280 | 595 | 658 | 673 | 408 | 230 | 180 | 82 | 39 | 100 | 619 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:38AM5.43m | 5:53PM5.82m | 6:10AM5.76m | 6:25PM6.13m | 6:42AM6.01m | 6:57PM6.33m | 7:14AM6.17m | 7:30PM6.41m | 7:48AM6.22m | 8:04PM6.36m | 8:23AM6.13m | 8:41PM6.16m | 9:01AM5.91m | 9:22PM5.83m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:53AM0.84m | 00:15AM0.63m | 12:26PM0.54m | 00:46AM0.37m | 12:57PM0.34m | 1:18AM0.22m | 1:29PM0.24m | 1:50AM0.20m | 2:02PM0.26m | 2:22AM0.30m | 2:37PM0.41m | 2:58AM0.53m | 3:15PM0.67m | 3:38AM0.87m | |||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:05 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 8 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 17 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | W 9 | WNW 9 | SW 12 | WNW 6 | — | — | S 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 9 | SW 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 |
46 | 52 | 42 | 17 | 5 | 55 | — | — | 7 | 533 | 280 | 595 | 289 | 673 | 408 | 230 | 180 | 82 | 29 | 20 | 21 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 10 | SW 12 | SW 11 | — | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | N 5 | — | WSW 11 | — | S 18 | SSW 6 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 15 | — |
20 | 47 | 5 | 5 | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 234 | — | 6 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 25 | 37 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 | — |
4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 7 | SW 6 | SW 7 | WSW 9 | W 9 | S 7 | SSW 7 | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — | WSW 5 | WSW 6 | W 8 |
— | — | 64 | 241 | 277 | 116 | 621 | 2009 | 1088 | 24 | 134 | — | 658 | — | — | — | — | — | 39 | 100 | 619 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 191 | 5 | 5 | 249 | 211 | 430 | 257 | 211 | 173 | 5 | 296 | 54 | 69 | 25 | 191 | 309 | 211 | 168 | 0 | 191 | 211 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











