
Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.4m), 11s period, W swell with 36 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 0.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.5m 6s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 1.5ft (0.4m) 11s |
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 on offer for Poldhu Cove over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you, mate – it’s a pretty lean stretch. This spot is inconsistent at the best of times, and this forecast is a real test of patience. The water is sitting at 65°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t be freezing while you’re waiting.
We’ve got a long gap here with nothing worth getting wet for. From Thursday the 16th right through to the morning of Monday the 27th of July, it’s a write-off. The swell is tiny, mostly around 0.7ft to 1ft from the west, with short, weak periods. The combined energy barely registers, often sitting between 4 and 34 (weak). Winds are a mixed bag – some glassy moments, but the swell just isn’t there to back it up. Even when the wind is clean, it’s poor surf conditions.
The first glimmer of something, and I mean a glimmer, comes on the morning of Monday the 27th of July. We see a pulse of 3ft from the west-northwest with a 6-second period (short period). The combined energy kicks up to 137 (moderate). The wind is a light cross-off from the NNW, so the surface will be clean. The report says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions” – that’s about as good as it gets here. It’s not a standout, just the least bad option.
After that, it’s back to messy. The rest of the forecast through to the 31st shows a bit more size, with the swell building to 5ft from the west, but the wind turns cross-onshore and choppy, ruining any chance of a decent wave. The combined energy climbs to 355 (moderate) on the 29th, but with that wind, it’s a no-go for a paddle board. Honestly, if you’re a kite surfer, that setup might look interesting, but for a surfboard, it’s a hard pass.
So, you’re looking at a long, dry spell. The only tiny window is the morning of the 27th at Poldhu Cove, but even then, keep your expectations in the cellar. It’s a quiet period for this break.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Thu afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (calm on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the E by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (calm on Sun afternoon, fresh winds from the N by Wed morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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) | SW 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 21 | 35 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 15 | 14 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:05PM5.07m | 7:30AM4.69m | 7:51PM5.00m | 8:16AM4.56m | 8:37PM4.81m | 9:02AM4.36m | 9:23PM4.53m | 9:49AM4.12m | 10:11PM4.21m | 10:40AM3.88m | 11:04PM3.88m | 11:38AM3.66m | 00:06AM3.62m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:58AM-0.15m | 2:13PM0.02m | 2:42AM-0.04m | 2:56PM0.17m | 3:25AM0.18m | 3:39PM0.42m | 4:08AM0.48m | 4:23PM0.72m | 4:50AM0.81m | 5:08PM1.04m | 5:36AM1.12m | 5:58PM1.32m | ||||||||
— | — | 5:30 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:31 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:35 | — | — | |
— | 9:23 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
Feels °C | 23 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 6 | E 6 | E 5 | E 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | NNW 6 | ESE 6 | ESE 5 | E 4 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 |
41 | 15 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 112 | 23 | 4 | 21 | 35 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 15 | 14 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 7 | SW 6 | W 8 | W 8 | E 5 | — | SW 11 | — | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 11 | E 4 | E 4 | NW 6 | NNW 5 | E 4 | E 4 | — | SW 14 |
11 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 2 | — | 5 | — | 4 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | — | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | SW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 5 | SW 11 | — | SW 12 | S 12 | N 6 | W 12 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | — | ESE 3 | S 16 | S 16 | S 15 | — |
14 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 5 | — | 5 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 3 | — | NW 5 | NNW 3 | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | E 6 | E 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | — | — | — | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | N 4 |
— | 1 | — | 3 | 6 | 6 | 23 | 31 | 139 | 148 | 8 | 4 | 19 | 17 | — | — | — | 8 | 15 | 50 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 268 | 295 | 295 | 1505 | 429 | 417 | 612 | 201 | 412 | 11 | 412 | 400 | 402 | 98 | 31 | 11 | 530 | 566 | 682 | 600 |
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.










