Surf Forecasts:
Harlyn surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 30 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, W swell with 1,814 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 30 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Harlyn this week:
The surf forecast for Harlyn over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 30) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Harlyn in the next 16 days are 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 31) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 5s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sun 30th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Mon 31st Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Harlyn over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's sort this out. I've chewed through the numbers for Harlyn over the next couple of weeks, and I won't sugarcoat it – it's a tough stretch. You're gonna need some patience.
Right off the bat, the wind and swell just aren't on speaking terms. The water temp is sitting at 66°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for late August, but that's where the good news ends. We are looking at a serious dry spell.
From Wednesday morning, August 26th, all the way through to Friday, September 4th, it's basically a no-go. That's a solid 10-day gap with nothing worth paddling out for. There's some energy in the water, sure, like on Saturday the 29th when the combined energy hits 419 (moderate) in the morning and rockets up to 921 by the afternoon with waves hitting 8ft. But the wind is howling at 31 mph – a near gale from the west-southwest. It's cross-offshore, so it's clean, but that wind strength is just too much for a sheltered spot like Harlyn. Anything over 5ft starts getting big for beginners, and that 8ft is expert-only territory, but even then, you'd be fighting the wind more than the wave. It's a classic case of lots of water, no quality.
Now, mark your calendar for Saturday, September 5th. The morning shows a clean 5ft swell from the west, and the period jumps to 10 seconds. That's a proper groundswell, meaning better shape and more push, even though the energy reading is only 421 (moderate). The wind is light, just a light breeze from the west, leaving a slight cross-shore ripple. This is the standout. It's not a perfect day, but after 10 days of nothing, this is the first real chance for a surfable wave. The afternoon is similar, just a touch smaller.
Sunday, September 6th morning is another one to keep an eye on. We get a clean 3ft swell from the west with that same nice long 10-second period, and the wind swings to a gentle offshore from the south-southwest. Gentle offshore and clean – that's pure gold for a spot like Harlyn. The energy is low at 191, so it's not powerful, but it's a proper window for a beginner or anyone wanting a quiet, clean paddle.
After that, we slide back into mediocrity. Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th look messy with onshore winds. The very end of the run, around Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th, shows some small clean waves with a cross-offshore breeze, but the swell is tiny – 2ft at best, with very weak energy readings (55 and 27). Hardly worth the effort.
So here's the real talk: there's a big gap of rubbish, then one or two mornings to get excited about. The best on offer is Saturday, September 5th morning. It's not a bomb, but it's the cleanest, most consistent-looking window in the whole outlook. Sunday, September 6th morning is a solid backup for a small, clean session.
-Rusty
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Fri night. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the ENE on Wed night, strong winds from the SSW by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest 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, moderate 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 8 | SW 7 | WSW 6 | W 7 | W 6 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | W 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
50 | 31 | 18 | 18 | 35 | 46 | 218 | 297 | 104 | 418 | 921 | 1418 | 552 | 676 | 1814 | 1345 | 864 | 444 | 387 | 368 | 241 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 5:26PM5.81m | 5:44AM5.82m | 6:00PM6.22m | 6:17AM6.17m | 6:32PM6.55m | 6:49AM6.44m | 7:04PM6.77m | 7:21AM6.61m | 7:37PM6.86m | 7:54AM6.65m | 8:11PM6.80m | 8:29AM6.56m | 8:48PM6.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:23AM1.30m | 11:46PM1.04m | 11:57AM0.90m | 00:19AM0.68m | 12:30PM0.58m | 00:50AM0.40m | 1:01PM0.36m | 1:21AM0.24m | 1:33PM0.25m | 1:53AM0.21m | 2:05PM0.27m | 2:26AM0.31m | 2:40PM0.43m | 3:01AM0.55m | |||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | |
mm | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 3 | 3 | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 | — | W 6 | N 5 | — | — | WSW 9 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 18 | W 8 | W 8 |
50 | 31 | 18 | 18 | 35 | 25 | 7 | — | 104 | 1 | — | — | 552 | — | — | — | 864 | 444 | 6 | 368 | 241 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 8 | SSW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | — | SW 12 | SW 11 | — | N 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 5 | — | SW 17 | SW 16 |
6 | 5 | 4 | 11 | — | 5 | 5 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | 12 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WNW 10 | SW 12 | — | — | — | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 18 | — | — | — |
6 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 6 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSE 2 | SSE 2 | ENE 2 | — | SW 6 | SW 7 | WSW 6 | W 7 | SW 7 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | W 10 | — | WSW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | W 8 | — | — |
1 | 1 | 2 | — | 24 | 46 | 218 | 297 | 44 | 418 | 921 | 1418 | — | 676 | 1814 | 1345 | — | — | 387 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 3 | 278 | 306 | 103 | 50 | 30 | 232 | 222 | 9 | 417 | 227 | 222 | 239 | 221 | 253 | 127 | 45 | 1 | 509 | 227 | 220 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Harlyn Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Harlyn provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Harlyn can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Harlyn 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 (Harlyn) 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 Harlyn 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.
Harlyn is 6 km (4 miles) from Padstow. If you plan a holiday in North Cornwall, look for hotels and other accommodation in Padstow. Padstow has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










