Surf Forecasts:
Harlyn surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period, W swell with 694 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Harlyn this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Harlyn in the next 16 days are 2.1m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Harlyn over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's take a hard look at what we've got coming our way.
To be brutally honest, this 16-day window starts off with a real dud. We're looking at a long gap of flat, messy, or just plain ugly conditions. From Tuesday the 18th of August all the way through to the 30th of August, it's basically a write-off. The swell is tiny, the wind is on it, or it's just crossed up junk. You wouldn't paddle out for this.
Things finally show a pulse of life on the very last day of the month and into September. The standout here is Harlyn, and it's the only game in town.
For Monday the 31st of August, we get a bit of a buildup. The morning is still ordinary with some 5 ft swell, but the afternoon is where it kicks off. We're looking at a solid 8 ft swell out of the southwest, with a moderate offshore wind from the SSW. That's clean, lined-up surf. The energy is serious – the combined swell energy is 721 (moderate wave energy) – so it's got some push. The water temp is holding about normal for this time of year, so it's pleasant enough.
Then, Tuesday the 1st of September is the real highlight of this whole outlook. The morning is a bit blown out by a cross-offshore wind, but the afternoon is the one to circle. You've got a clean 8 ft swell from the west, with a period of 10 seconds, and a gentle offshore wind from the south. The combined energy hits a massive 1115 (strong wave energy). This is the best we're gonna see – proper, clean, powerful waves. Just a heads up, that size is getting solid, so it'll be more for the experienced crew.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 19°C on Mon night, min 17°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Fri night. Very mild (max 18°C on Sat morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 7 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | N 5 | N 5 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
165 | 135 | 180 | 276 | 186 | 475 | 694 | 540 | 230 | 109 | 46 | 35 | 41 | 39 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 14 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-off | on | on | on | on | on | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 9:38AM5.98m | 9:57PM5.84m | 10:17AM5.52m | 10:38PM5.30m | 11:01AM5.06m | 11:28PM4.80m | 11:59AM4.65m | 00:39AM4.43m | 1:23PM4.42m | 2:13AM4.35m | 2:55PM4.54m | 3:34AM4.59m | 4:02PM4.90m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 3:50PM1.03m | 4:11AM1.29m | 4:29PM1.50m | 4:51AM1.77m | 5:16PM1.96m | 5:43AM2.20m | 6:22PM2.34m | 7:02AM2.49m | 7:57PM2.48m | 8:40AM2.46m | 9:27PM2.28m | 9:54AM2.15m | 10:26PM1.90m | ||||||||
6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | |
— | 8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 17 | SW 16 | W 9 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 4 |
11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 61 | 23 | 8 | 540 | 230 | 109 | 46 | 35 | 41 | 39 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | — | — | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | N 5 | W 9 | SW 16 | N 4 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | N 5 | SW 13 | W 8 |
— | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | 20 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 10 | 6 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 2 | 7 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 15 | SW 12 | — | — | — | N 5 | SW 14 | — | WNW 12 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 6 | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | — | 14 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | W 6 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 7 | W 8 | W 9 | — | N 6 | — | N 5 | N 4 | — | N 5 | N 5 | N 5 | N 4 | N 4 | — | — | — |
165 | 135 | 180 | 276 | 186 | 475 | 694 | — | 50 | — | 15 | 20 | — | 20 | 21 | 20 | 8 | 4 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 256 | 227 | 130 | 245 | 227 | 256 | 119 | 222 | 57 | 20 | 59 | 46 | 2 | 56 | 281 | 281 | 74 | 230 | 401 | 486 | 214 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.










