Surf Forecasts:
Gwithian surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, WSW swell with 2,210 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Gwithian this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Gwithian in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Gwithian over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what the next couple of weeks have in store for us at Gwithian.
Right off the bat, I have to be straight with you – it’s a tough read. The first week and a half is looking pretty bleak. We've got a long stretch from now right through to the morning of the 5th of September where the wind is just all over the place, mostly cross-shore or onshore, and pretty strong too. The swell is there, don't get me wrong – we see some chunky days with the combined swell energy hitting between 300 and 1700 (moderate to very strong energy) – but the wind is absolutely trashing it. We’re looking at lumpy, choppy, messy conditions. A couple of days around the 31st of August and 4th of September have some size, with 8ft swells, but the wind is ruining the party. The waves are going to be a washing machine, not a playground. Honestly, for a lot of that period, it looks more like a kitesurfing setup than a paddle surfing one.
The water temp is sitting at 63°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so no surprises there.
Now, after that long, frustrating wait, things start to get interesting. The standout window is the 5th of September. Saturday the 5th is the one to circle. The morning still has a bit of a cross-shore wind, but we’ve got a solid 6ft swell from the west with a long 11-second period (moderate wave energy of 875). Then, the afternoon of the 5th of September is where it’s at. The wind swings to a light cross-offshore breeze from the south, the swell drops to a more manageable 6ft, but the period stays at a juicy 11 seconds. The combined energy is still a healthy 773 (moderate) and the conditions are expected to be clean. This is the best we’ve got – a proper window of clean, lined-up waves. It’s not huge, but it’ll be surfable and fun.
After that brief moment of glory, the wind gets messy again into the 6th, but there’s another promising blip a few days later on the 10th of September. Thursday the 10th has a solid 8ft west swell with a very long 11-second period. The morning looks clean with a cross-offshore breeze from the NE. The combined energy is 1553 (strong energy). That’s a powerful swell, but at 8ft, it’s getting into the territory for experienced surfers only. It’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it, but it has real potential.
So, to sum it up: a long, frustrating gap with no real surf on offer until the 5th of September. The 5th is the pick of the bunch for clean, fun waves. The 10th of September is a more serious, powerful option for the experienced crew. Patience is key here.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the S on Wed night, strong winds from the SSW by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the SW on Sat morning, light winds from the SW by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | SW 6 | WSW 7 | W 7 | WSW 6 | SW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
49 | 31 | 18 | 20 | 49 | 94 | 350 | 371 | 195 | 736 | 1496 | 1772 | 675 | 850 | 2003 | 1365 | 858 | 508 | 398 | 382 | 279 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 5:20PM5.44m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:19AM1.21m | 11:42PM0.97m | 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 | |||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
— | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | |
mm | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 8 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 18 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | WNW 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | N 5 | N 5 | — | WSW 10 | W 9 | — | — | W 9 | W 10 | N 5 | SW 18 | W 8 | W 8 |
49 | 31 | 18 | 20 | 47 | 28 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | 1772 | 601 | — | — | 1365 | 858 | 5 | 12 | 382 | 279 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | WNW 10 | S 6 | SW 12 | — | — | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | S 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 |
14 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 5 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 6 | 12 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | SW 11 |
6 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 4 | SSE 4 | ESE 3 | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 7 | W 7 | WSW 6 | SW 8 | WSW 9 | — | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 9 | — | — | W 9 | W 8 | — | — |
4 | 9 | 8 | 52 | 49 | 94 | 350 | 371 | 195 | 736 | 1496 | — | 675 | 850 | 2003 | — | — | 508 | 398 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 247 | 277 | 133 | 5 | 5 | 246 | 210 | 54 | 410 | 211 | 210 | 256 | 264 | 223 | 168 | 69 | 31 | 493 | 211 | 191 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











