Perranporth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming our way here in the region. To be honest, it’s a tough start. We’ve got a real flat spell on our hands for a good stretch, so don’t bother checking the forecast for a proper session until well into the back half of the period. The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until Wednesday, August 26th, and even then, it’s only a marginal offering at Perranporth, which is a fairly exposed beach break that loves a good west swell. The water’s sitting at 66°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so that’s a small comfort while you wait.

From now until that Wednesday, it’s essentially a write-off. We’re looking at about a week of tiny, weak surf with combined wave energy barely making a dent – most days are under 200 (weak energy), with a few afternoons hovering around the 100 mark. The wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell is short-period wind slop, so there’s nothing worth paddling out for. The surf quality is consistently poor, and the overall energy is just too low.

Wednesday, August 26th sees a bit of a pulse arrive in the morning: a 5ft swell out of the west with an 8-second period. The combined energy jumps to 317 (moderate), which is a step up, but the wind is a light cross-shore with a touch of cross-chop, so it’s still only a marginal shout. It’s not going to be clean, and the tide could mess with it. By the afternoon, it drops off a bit.

Thursday, August 27th is more of the same story – a 6ft afternoon swell gets chopped up by a moderate cross-onshore wind. Not the good stuff.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. If you can hold out until the very end of the period, there’s a proper standout on the horizon. Sunday, August 30th is the one to circle on the calendar. The morning starts a bit average with a 6ft swell and light cross-on wind, but the afternoon session is where it’s at. We’re looking at an 8ft swell from the west with a 9-second period, and the wind goes glassy – dead calm. The combined wave energy rockets up to 908 (strong), and the surf report says expect very good conditions. This is a big swell, over 8ft, so it’s really one for the experienced crew at Perranporth. The size and the glassy wind will make for some powerful, clean lines. It’s a long way off, so call it a promising prospect rather than a guarantee, but it looks like the best thing on offer by a long stretch. The crowds at Perranporth can sometimes be an issue, so get there early if you can.

Monday, August 31st looks like it gets blown out quickly with a strong onshore wind, so that Sunday afternoon window is your golden ticket.

That’s the story here. A long flat patch, then a few marginal days, and one cracking Sunday for the crew who can handle a bigger, clean swell.

Rusty

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