Surf Forecasts:
Perran Sands surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 20 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, W swell with 759 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Perran Sands this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Perran Sands in the next 16 days are 2.2m 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 0.5m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Perran Sands over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on offer for the next couple of weeks around Perran Sands.
Well, it's a bit of a tough stretch ahead, I've got to be honest. The whole 16-day window is looking pretty grim, with no real standout sessions to get excited about. The first week or so is especially poor, with a long run of choppy, cross-onshore winds and messy surf. The water temperature is sitting at 66°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that's about the only thing that's slightly in our favour.
From Wednesday morning, the 19th of August, we're looking at a 4ft swell from the WNW with a 9-second period, but the 16 mph onshore wind from the WNW is already making it a write-off. The combined energy is weak (258), and it's labelled as poor surf. This pattern continues right through the rest of the week—Thursday the 20th has a bit more size, with a 7ft swell from the W, but it's still hammered by a fresh cross-onshore breeze, and the energy climbs to moderate (767), but the conditions are just too lumpy to bother. The weekend and into the following week is a write-off of tiny, weak swells and messy winds.
We do get a bit of a reprieve around the 24th and 25th of August, with some cleaner conditions and light east winds, but the swell drops right off—1.0ft on the 24th and 1ft the next day. The energy is negligible (27 and 40), so it's barely a ripple. Then by the 27th of August, we see a moderate 5ft swell from the W with a 10-second period, but it's still cross-onshore and choppy, with moderate energy (448). Not a goer.
The most significant event comes right at the end of the month. On the 31st of August, Monday morning, a solid 8ft swell from the W, with a 10-second period, hits. The combined energy is very strong (1277), and it's a big, powerful groundswell that could hold some real punch. But the wind is a howling 22 mph onshore from the NW, and the comment is "poor surf conditions." For a reef break like Perran Sands, this is going to be a wild, messy, and dangerous setup. It's strictly for experts only, and even then, it's a battle just to get out. The following afternoon has a 8ft swell from the W with a 9-second period and still moderate energy (1014), but again, cross-onshore winds. This is more kite-surfing territory than paddle surfing.
The only day that even gets a marginal nod is the 2nd of September, Wednesday morning. There's a 7ft swell from the WNW with an 8-second period, and the wind is a clean, cross-offshore breeze from the SSW. The combined energy is moderate (588), and the comment says "marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions." This is the closest we get to something rideable, but it's a one-off, and the tide and swell quality are still a question mark. After that, the winds turn onshore again, and the swell drops off.
So, in short, while the area does show some occasional pulses of swell, the wind is against us for the vast majority of the 16-day window. The 31st of August and 2nd of September are the only real possibilities, but both come with significant caveats. For the rest of it, it's a long, blank run of poor surf. Don't hold your breath, but keep an eye on the forecasts—things can change.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Sat morning). 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 | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | W 6 | W 8 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | NW 5 | W 8 | N 6 | N 5 | W 9 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
248 | 122 | 588 | 759 | 627 | 287 | 136 | 73 | 33 | 80 | 36 | 25 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 34 | 102 | 225 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:13AM5.43m | 10:34PM5.22m | 10:57AM4.97m | 11:25PM4.73m | 11:55AM4.57m | 00:36AM4.36m | 1:20PM4.36m | 2:10AM4.29m | 2:52PM4.47m | 3:30AM4.52m | 3:57PM4.83m | 4:24AM4.90m | 4:44PM5.27m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:27PM1.49m | 4:48AM1.75m | 5:13PM1.94m | 5:40AM2.17m | 6:19PM2.31m | 6:58AM2.45m | 7:54PM2.45m | 8:37AM2.43m | 9:24PM2.25m | 9:51AM2.12m | 10:24PM1.87m | 10:41AM1.71m | 11:07PM1.44m | ||||||||
6:13 | — | — | 6:15 | — | — | 6:16 | — | — | 6:18 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | |
— | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | |
mm | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | 8 |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 16 |
Feels °C | 15 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | W 9 | WSW 15 | SW 14 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SW 13 | W 5 | W 7 | WNW 6 | N 5 | NNW 4 | W 9 | W 9 | N 4 | NNE 4 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 9 |
10 | 63 | 23 | 8 | 627 | 287 | 136 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 13 | 25 | 6 | 13 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 34 | 102 | 225 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SW 16 | — | — | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 16 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 14 | WSW 14 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 13 | W 8 | SW 13 | SW 13 |
— | 10 | — | — | 21 | 18 | 7 | 10 | 33 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | — | SW 16 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 15 | WSW 14 | — | — | SW 14 | SW 13 | NW 11 | NNW 3 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | 10 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 19 | — | — | 8 | 7 | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | W 6 | W 8 | W 9 | — | N 5 | N 6 | NW 5 | N 5 | N 6 | N 5 | — | — | N 4 | N 4 | — | — | N 3 | — | SSW 3 | SE 2 |
248 | 122 | 588 | 759 | — | 25 | 62 | 73 | 16 | 80 | 36 | — | — | 10 | 19 | — | — | 5 | — | 3 | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 443 | 547 | 215 | 148 | 557 | 38 | 76 | 35 | 34 | 63 | 227 | 3 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 301 | 245 | 206 | 20 | 35 | 52 |
Best forecast wave conditions in North Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Perran Sands Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Perran Sands provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Perran Sands can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Perran 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 (Perran 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 Perran 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.
Perran Sands is 7 km (4 miles) from Newquay. If you plan a holiday in North Cornwall, look for hotels and other accommodation in Newquay. Newquay has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











