Surf Forecasts:
Maenporth surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 8s period, SSW swell with 513 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Maenporth this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Maenporth in the next 16 days are 2.0m 8s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 20) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Maenporth over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright mates, Rusty here. Let’s talk about Maenporth.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it – the next 16 days are a full-on drought. There’s not a single good surf session in the window. The first week is all tiny, gutless swell and mostly cross-onshore or gusty wind. The second week doesn’t turn it around either. It’s a long, empty stretch with nothing worth paddling for.
The water temperature is 66°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least it’s not freezing.
Let’s run through the misery. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st have a pathetic 0.7ft of swell from the SSW – basically flat. The wind is offshore, but with no waves, who cares. Saturday the 22nd gets a tiny bump to 3ft from the east with a super short period of 5 seconds. The combined energy is only 48 (weak), and it’s cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. No go.
Sunday the 23rd is back to 0.7ft to 1ft. Monday the 24th sees some size jump to 5ft, then 7ft in the afternoon, both from the east. The period is a shocking 6 to 7 seconds, and the wind blows onshore at 22 to 25 mph. The combined energy hits 174 and then 417 (moderate), but with those conditions, it’s lumpy, messy, and blown out. Tuesday the 25th is no better. Wednesday the 26th brings 7ft swell from the SW with an 8-second period and cross-onshore winds. The energy reaches 841 (strong), but with risk of thunderstorms and lumpy conditions, it’s a hard pass.
Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th stay small and poor. Friday afternoon the 28th sees 10ft swell from the WSW, period 8 seconds, and cross-offshore wind. The combined energy hits 1113 (very strong), but the spot is sheltered and the swell is too big for beginners, and conditions are only marginal. That’s as close as we get to anything.
From Saturday the 29th all the way through to Wednesday the 4th of September, it’s flat or tiny. Some offshore wind won’t save you when there’s no swell. The best we see is 4ft on the 30th and 2nd of September, but the energy is moderate and the quality is poor.
Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing during the bigger, windier days. For now, leave the board in the shed and wait for a change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Very mild (max 18°C on Thu morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Sun afternoon, strong winds from the E by Mon morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | E 5 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SW 11 | WSW 9 | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
21 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 27 | 21 | 19 | 30 | 34 | 144 | 392 | 220 | 107 | 30 | 45 | 453 | 412 | 123 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 11:15AM4.13m | 11:46PM3.99m | 12:20PM3.93m | 00:55AM3.75m | 1:34PM3.84m | 2:10AM3.66m | 2:46PM3.90m | 3:18AM3.74m | 3:48PM4.07m | 4:15AM3.93m | 4:39PM4.30m | 5:01AM4.18m | 5:20PM4.55m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:29PM1.85m | 5:52AM2.03m | 6:26PM2.18m | 6:56AM2.28m | 8:10PM2.35m | 8:49AM2.33m | 9:53PM2.21m | 10:10AM2.12m | 10:48PM1.93m | 10:58AM1.82m | 11:27PM1.63m | 11:36AM1.51m | 00:00AM1.33m | ||||||||
6:16 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | |
— | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:17 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | W 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 11 | ESE 5 | SW 9 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | WNW 10 | E 6 | SSW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | W 9 |
21 | 693 | 474 | 180 | 111 | 64 | 65 | 40 | 24 | 13 | 30 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 33 | 25 | 45 | 453 | 412 | 320 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | WNW 7 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WSW 9 | SSW 13 | WSW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SSW 8 |
— | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 24 | 21 | 5 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 34 | 17 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 43 | 40 | 56 | 181 | 123 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | — | NW 6 | SSW 15 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | W 6 | SSW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | SW 8 | E 5 | — | W 10 | ESE 5 |
— | — | — | 10 | 10 | — | 2 | 21 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 30 | 2 | — | 51 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | — | N 3 | NW 4 | N 3 | ENE 2 | E 5 | E 5 | E 4 | ESE 5 | — | E 6 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | SW 8 | — | — |
700 | — | — | 5 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 11 | 7 | 17 | — | 144 | 392 | 220 | 107 | 2 | 25 | 388 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 532 | 190 | 18 | 73 | 25 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 400 | 172 | 232 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 173 | 128 | 28 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Maenporth Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Maenporth provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Maenporth can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Maenporth 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 (Maenporth) 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 Maenporth 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.
Are you planning a holiday in South Cornwall? If you are looking for accommodation near Maenporth, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in South Cornwall, consider staying in Falmouth which is 1 km (1 miles) away. Other places in and around South Cornwall where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Penryn which is 2 km (1 miles) away, Truro, Camborne and The Lizard.











