Surf Forecasts:
Kennack Sands surf forecast from 16 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 5s period, E swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 7s period, E swell with 330 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 5s period with E swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kennack Sands this week:
The surf forecast for Kennack Sands over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 22) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 5s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Kennack Sands in the next 16 days are 1.8m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kennack Sands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get this out there. To be straight with you, the next couple of weeks around Kennack Sands are looking pretty grim for any proper surfing. We’ve got a long stretch of almost nothing on the cards. From now until the 22nd, we’re talking about tiny, weak swells that barely register. It’s a lot of whitewash and closeouts, not much else. You’d be chasing shadows out there. There’s a bit of a pulse from the SSW, but it’s so small and weak that it’s barely going to have you paddling past the shorebreak. The winds are mostly offshore or cross-offshore, which would be great if there was any actual wave to ride, but at less than a foot, it’s just not worth the effort. There’s really nothing to get excited about.
Then we hit the 23rd. The swell bumps up a bit to around 4ft, but it’s wind swell with a short, crumbly 7-second period, coming from the east. It’s messy, it’s lumpy, and the onshore winds are going to trash it. If you’re a kitesurfer, this might be your window, but for paddle surfing, it’s a washout. That easterly wind is just going to chop it all up.
The next few days are more of the same – inconsistent, weak pulses from the SSW, and cross-onshore winds making everything lumpy. It’s not until the 27th that we see a bit more size, around 3ft, but the period is still short and it’s coming from the ESE. The winds are light, though, so it might be a bit cleaner, but it’s still not going to be anything special.
The 28th brings the biggest swell of the period, pushing 5ft from the east, but the wind goes onshore and it’s likely to be a messy, blown-out mess. Not what we want.
Look, there is a small window on the 29th. The morning has that same short-period east swell at 3ft but with glassy conditions. That could be the most clean, rideable surf we get all period, even if it’s not big. Then the afternoon sees a push to 5ft with a moderate cross-offshore wind, which could keep it reasonably clean, but the energy is still just a short-period wind swell.
Honestly, the whole 16-day run is a poor showing. The water is a balmy 67°, which is over 4° warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a positive if you’re just planning a swim. But for waves, this is about as bleak as it gets. There are no standouts, no hidden gems. If you’re desperate, the 29th morning looks like your best bet for a few clean, small waves. It’s a real “make do and mend” situation.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it. It’s looking flat and frustrating. But these dry spells don’t last forever, and with the warmer water, things can change quickly. We just have to wait for a proper groundswell to light this place up.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue night, min 15°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 12 | S 18 | S 18 | S 18 | S 18 | S 19 | SSW 17 | W 6 | SSW 17 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | E 7 | E 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 27 | 0 | 29 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 225 | 159 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross |
High Tide | 7:48AM4.72m | 8:06PM4.88m | 8:26AM4.54m | 8:45PM4.58m | 9:06AM4.28m | 9:25PM4.22m | 9:47AM3.98m | 10:10PM3.84m | 10:36AM3.66m | 11:06PM3.49m | 11:42AM3.40m | 00:25AM3.26m | 1:09PM3.29m | 1:52AM3.23m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:28PM0.09m | 2:52AM0.15m | 3:06PM0.34m | 3:28AM0.47m | 3:44PM0.66m | 4:05AM0.83m | 4:23PM1.01m | 4:44AM1.18m | 5:07PM1.34m | 5:31AM1.50m | 6:05PM1.62m | 6:38AM1.72m | 7:29PM1.75m | ||||||||
6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | |
— | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 14 |
Feels °C | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 8 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | S 18 | S 16 | W 8 | SW 17 | SSW 17 | WNW 9 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | NNW 6 |
27 | 25 | 15 | 41 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 11 | 29 | 84 | 24 | 22 | 494 | 372 | 220 | 99 | 74 | 36 | 33 | 33 | 15 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | S 18 | S 18 | W 7 | — | S 19 | SSW 17 | — | — | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 10 |
12 | 7 | 6 | 8 | — | 7 | 27 | — | — | 24 | 24 | — | 21 | 20 | 18 | 26 | 17 | 24 | 11 | 12 | 31 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | — | W 11 | S 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 16 | WNW 6 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 |
3 | — | 3 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | 17 | 10 | 4 | 21 | 21 | 42 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | NW 3 | WNW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 8 | W 7 | WNW 6 | W 6 | W 7 | WNW 6 | W 6 | W 8 | — | — | NW 3 | — | NNW 2 | N 3 | NE 3 | E 7 | E 7 |
4 | 2 | 5 | 19 | 127 | 77 | 119 | 112 | 130 | 104 | 220 | 509 | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 5 | 2 | 225 | 159 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 228 | 277 | 276 | 303 | 181 | 250 | 303 | 181 | 181 | 187 | 230 | 187 | 187 | 181 | 84 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 36 | 0 | 183 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Kennack Sands Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kennack Sands provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kennack Sands can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kennack Sands 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 (Kennack Sands) 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 Kennack Sands 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.
Kennack Sands is 9 km (6 miles) from The Lizard. If you plan a holiday in South Cornwall, look for hotels and other accommodation in The Lizard. The Lizard has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











