Gwithian Surf Break

Lat Long: 50.22° N 5.40° W

Gwithian Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 19 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Gwithian sea temperature is
17.8° C
0.8° 

Gwithian surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Gwithian surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 9s period, WNW swell with 933 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period with W 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 14s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 6s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Gwithian in the next 16 days are 2.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 5s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (BST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 4AM (Fri 21st Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 9s
Best Surf 4AM (Fri 21st Aug)4.5ft (1.3m) 9s
Most Powerful10AM (Thu 20th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 9s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Gwithian over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, let’s get this out there. It’s been a bit of a flat and messy run, and honestly, the next couple of weeks are going to test your patience. Looking at the whole sixteen-day window, we’ve got some solid swell windows, but the wind gods are not playing nice for most of it. The real standout, the one you’re gonna want to circle on the calendar, is the big groundswell pushing in at the end of the month. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Right now, and for the next several days, it’s a write-off. Through the 23rd and 24th, we’re looking at small, weak surf mixed with cross-shore and onshore winds. The energy is just not there, with combined swell energy readings as low as 35, and the swell that is around is short-period windswell. There’s a brief moment on the morning of the 24th where the wind goes light offshore, but the swell has completely died, so you’re just staring at a lake. It’s a real kick in the teeth.

We see a bit of a pulse come back around the 25th with some waist-high swell, but the wind is still messy. Then a bigger, longer-period WNW groundswell starts to build into the 27th. The morning of the 27th actually has some potential. We’re looking at 8ft of WNW groundswell at 11 seconds, which is proper, and the wind is only a gentle cross-onshore. The combined energy jumps to 1245, showing there’s some real push behind it. The issue is the wave comment flags it as questionable tide conditions. Gwithian is a beach break, so that long-period stuff can go a bit straight, but this could be the pick of a pretty average bunch. It’s still going to be a bit lumpy and not perfectly clean.

From there, we slide back into another period of poor conditions right through the end of the month. The winds stay strong and onshore, and the surf quality drops off a cliff. The 30th sees a rising swell with big, stormy energy, hitting 2253 by the afternoon, but it’s all chop and lump with a fresh onshore breeze. It’s not going to be surfable.

Now, for the one you’ve been waiting for. The 31st of August and the 1st of September is where things get interesting. A serious, long-period WNW groundswell fills in. We’re talking 13ft of swell at 11 seconds, with a combined energy reading of over 4200. This is a big, powerful swell. The wind, however, is still forecast to be a strong onshore breeze. For Gwithian, this is going to be a full-on, heavy beach break. At this size, and with that wind, it’s a recipe for a closeout and serious paddle. This is advanced surf, no doubt, and despite the size and energy, the quality is going to be poor due to the onshores. It’s a frustrating one—so much power, but the ocean is just going to be a washing machine.

The water temp is sitting around average for this time of year when we first get going. Not warm, not cold, just about normal for late August.

The long-range stuff after that remains big but messy, so keep your expectations in check. The 31st and the morning of the 1st of September look like the biggest swell of the period, but it’s more for the eyes than the surfboard. There’s no clean, perfect window in this entire outlook. It’s a grind, folks.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Light rain (total 8mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue night, min 13°C on Fri morning). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon afternoon, min 14°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Wednesday
19
Thursday
20
Friday
21
Saturday
22
Sunday
23
Monday
24
Tuesday
25
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.2
WNW
9
1.5
W
6
2.2
W
8
2.5
WNW
9
2.2
WNW
9
1.4
W
9
1.1
W
8
0.8
WNW
8
0.3
SW
16
1
NNW
6
1.1
N
6
0.3
SW
15
0.3
SW
14
0.3
SW
14
0.3
SW
14
0.2
SSW
14
0.2
SSW
14
0.2
SSW
13
0.5
WNW
10
1
W
10
2.2
SW
8
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
254
160
634
933
807
347
165
90
39
67
88
34
31
32
32
19
18
17
59
192
587
Wind (km/h)
25
WNW
30
W
30
W
30
WNW
25
NW
10
NNE
20
NNE
20
N
20
N
25
NNE
20
N
20
NNE
20
NNE
20
N
15
NNE
15
E
20
N
0
NE
10
WNW
15
SW
30
S
Wind State
on
on
on
on
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-off
cross-on
glassy
on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
10:11AM5.16m
10:33PM4.95m
10:55AM4.73m
11:23PM4.49m
11:54AM4.34m
00:34AM4.14m
1:19PM4.14m
2:09AM4.07m
2:51PM4.25m
3:28AM4.30m
3:56PM4.59m
4:22AM4.66m
4:42PM5.02m
Low Tide
4:08AM1.21m
4:26PM1.41m
4:48AM1.66m
5:13PM1.84m
5:40AM2.06m
6:18PM2.19m
6:57AM2.32m
7:53PM2.32m
8:35AM2.30m
9:23PM2.13m
9:50AM2.01m
10:22PM1.77m
10:40AM1.61m
11:05PM1.36m
clear
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clear
part cloud
part cloud
rain showers
light rain
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
mod rain
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:15
6:16
6:18
6:20
6:20
6:22
6:24
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:32
8:30
8:29
8:27
8:24
8:22
8:21
 mm
1
3
7
Temp °C
18
18
17
18
18
17
15
15
15
16
16
17
17
17
17
18
19
17
18
19
17
Feels °C
15
12
12
13
14
15
12
11
11
11
12
14
13
13
15
15
15
16
15
16
13
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
Map placeholder
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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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