Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 25 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, WSW swell with 1,374 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Poldhu Cove this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Poldhu Cove in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 6s 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 | 7PM (Tue 1st Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Poldhu Cove. I’ve got to be straight with you – it’s a rough stretch ahead. The water temp is sitting at 65°F which is a touch warmer than normal for late August, but that’s about the only thing that’s working in our favour.
We’re looking at a long, bleak run here. From Tuesday the 25th of August, right through until the end of the first week of September, there’s barely a sniff of anything rideable. The wind is a constant problem – mostly howling onshore or cross-onshore, with speeds hitting 19 mph to 25 mph, and even 37 mph by Thursday the 3rd of September. That’s going to make a mess of what little swell there is. The wave energy is weak to moderate at best for most of that time, barely cracking 100 (combined energy of all swells directed here) on the good days, and when it does get bigger, like on the 29th of August with 10ft swell from the WSW, the wind is a solid 19-22 mph cross-onshore, creating lumpy, horrible conditions. There’s a brief moment on Friday the 28th of August morning where the wind goes cross-off with a 7ft swell from the west, but it’s a 7-second period, so it’ll be a bit fat and weak. Still, it’s the only clean-looking window in that first week – but it’s marginal, and the tide might be a problem.
The pattern doesn’t let up. We get a few days of big, messy, cross-onshore slop, then into the second week we see the swell size really pump up, but the wind just won’t cooperate. 5th of September has a 10ft west-southwest swell with a 10-second period, and the wave energy is massive – 1962 (combined energy of all swells directed here) in the morning, 3669 in the afternoon – but the wind is a fresh cross-shore, making it lumpy. This is serious power, but it’s not clean enough for a paddle board. Frankly, for a beach-and-reef setup like Poldhu Cove, this looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a traditional surfer.
The only glimmer of hope comes right at the very end. On Wednesday the 9th of September, we finally see a proper shift. The wind swings to a light cross-off from the northwest, 12 mph in the morning, and the swell is a clean 6ft from the west with a 12-second period (combined energy of all swells directed here: 773). That’s a long-period groundswell, and it’s arriving with clean conditions. The afternoon is a bit more cross-shore, but still gentle. This is the standout. It’s the only window in the whole 16 days where the stars align. It’s a bit of a wait, but that Wednesday morning is the one to circle. The swell is solid, the period is long, and the wind is clean. The water is still a touch warmer than normal, and because it’s inconsistent, you might have the place to yourself – crowds are only sometimes an issue here.
Other than that, it’s a write-off. A long, frustrating gap of nearly two weeks with nothing worth paddling out for. But this area can turn around quickly, and forecasts can change. For now, rest up and point your eyes towards the 9th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 12mm), heaviest on Wed night. Very mild (max 19°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SSW on Tue night, fresh winds from the SE by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the N on Fri morning, strong winds from the SW by Fri night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | SSW 5 | SSW 8 | SW 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
74 | 94 | 81 | 50 | 31 | 28 | 42 | 292 | 801 | 434 | 434 | 239 | 1021 | 1373 | 832 | 493 | 498 | 931 | 828 | 699 | 627 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | off | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 4:14PM3.91m | 4:34AM3.89m | 4:52PM4.21m | 5:10AM4.15m | 5:25PM4.49m | 5:42AM4.38m | 5:57PM4.71m | 6:13AM4.57m | 6:28PM4.87m | 6:45AM4.70m | 7:00PM4.94m | 7:18AM4.75m | 7:34PM4.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:25AM1.22m | 10:53PM1.02m | 11:06AM0.90m | 11:30PM0.70m | 11:42AM0.61m | 00:05AM0.42m | 12:16PM0.37m | 00:39AM0.21m | 12:51PM0.20m | 1:13AM0.08m | 1:26PM0.12m | 1:48AM0.06m | 2:01PM0.14m | 2:23AM0.14m | |||||||
6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 8:20 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | |
mm | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | ESE 5 | WSW 7 | WNW 9 | SSW 7 | S 11 | W 7 | — | — | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | W 8 | — | — | W 9 | WSW 10 |
74 | 94 | 81 | 50 | 31 | 28 | 19 | 89 | 17 | 83 | 3 | 239 | — | — | 832 | 493 | 173 | — | — | 699 | 627 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 8 | SSW 8 | E 6 | SW 7 | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | W 8 | WNW 10 | — | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 6 | S 18 |
18 | 47 | 23 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 31 | 32 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | E 5 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 10 | ESE 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
7 | 7 | 44 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 7 | E 6 | SSE 3 | S 4 | SE 4 | E 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 8 | SW 8 | W 7 | W 7 | SSW 6 | WSW 8 | WSW 9 | — | SSW 7 | SW 8 | WSW 8 | W 9 | — | — |
303 | 128 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 22 | 42 | 292 | 801 | 434 | 434 | 81 | 1021 | 1373 | — | 62 | 498 | 931 | 828 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 31 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 58 | 11 | 189 | 165 | 22 | 65 | 138 | 402 | 253 | 181 | 23 | 417 | 583 | 530 | 200 | 168 | 23 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Poldhu Cove Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Poldhu Cove provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Poldhu Cove can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Poldhu Cove 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 (Poldhu Cove) 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 Poldhu Cove 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.
Poldhu Cove is 12 km (7 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.











