Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 17 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 9s period, W swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, WSW swell with 343 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period with WSW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Poldhu Cove this week:
The surf forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Poldhu Cove in the next 16 days are 1.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 13th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, mate. Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what Poldhu Cove has in store for us over the next couple of weeks, and honestly, I’m a bit flat about it. The water’s sitting at 66°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
We’ve got a bit of a quiet start here. Through Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th, the swell is tiny – we’re talking ankle-snappers around 1ft to 3ft with a short period. The wind is mostly a cross-off, but the energy is weak (values as low as 26 to 145), and the reports are calling it poor surf. Nothing to get excited about. Thursday the 13th shows a little more size, up to 4ft from the WSW with an 11-second period, and the energy jumps to 346, which is moderate. But the wind on Thursday afternoon turns cross and messy, and the morning still gets a marginal call. Not a standout.
The whole stretch from Friday the 14th right through to Tuesday the 26th is a real slog. There are long gaps of several days with no decent recommendations. The wind is all over the place – cross-on, cross, strong breezes, even a near gale on the 24th. The swell does get bigger, with Sunday the 23rd pushing up to 8ft from the SW and energy at 756, and Monday the 24th hitting 12ft (energy 2195!), but that’s all accompanied by horrendous onshore or cross-onshore wind. At those sizes with that wind, this beach setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. It’s blown out.
The only real glimmer in this whole outlook comes on Monday the 17th of August. In the afternoon, the wind goes glassy – absolute magic – with a 5ft swell from the W and energy at 270. The report says “expect good surf conditions.” That’s the one. Poldhu Cove is inconsistent and can be a fickle spot, so when the stars align, you grab it. The swell direction (W) isn’t a perfect match for the optimum (SW), but that glassy wind and moderate energy should still produce some clean, rideable waves. A highlight, but a lonely one.
To be honest, if you aren’t able to make that Monday afternoon window, the rest of the 16 days is a write-off. Blank runs like this are more normal for this area. Forecasts can change, but for now, keep your eyes on the 17th.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed afternoon, min 19°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 15°C on Sun afternoon). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | WNW 7 | W 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WSW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 20 | 18 | 119 | 131 | 144 | 185 | 343 | 290 | 226 | 129 | 252 | 161 | 168 | 123 | 81 | 21 | 26 | 23 | 240 | 264 | 193 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off |
High Tide | 4:29PM4.57m | 4:56AM4.47m | 5:19PM4.87m | 5:44AM4.68m | 6:04PM5.07m | 6:27AM4.80m | 6:46PM5.14m | 7:08AM4.81m | 7:27PM5.07m | 7:48AM4.72m | 8:06PM4.88m | 8:26AM4.54m | 8:45PM4.58m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:50AM0.55m | 11:22PM0.27m | 11:41AM0.23m | 00:10AM-0.02m | 12:27PM0.00m | 00:54AM-0.19m | 1:09PM-0.10m | 1:35AM-0.21m | 1:49PM-0.07m | 2:14AM-0.09m | 2:28PM0.09m | 2:52AM0.15m | 3:06PM0.34m | 3:28AM0.47m | |||||||
 | |  | | | | |  | | |  |  | | | | |  |  | | | | |
 | 6:03 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:05 | — | — | 6:07 | — | — | 6:09 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — | 6:11 | — | — |
 | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 16 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 11 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WSW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | S 18 | S 18 | W 8 |
| kJ | 20 | 18 | 119 | 131 | 144 | 185 | 343 | 290 | 226 | 129 | 252 | 161 | 168 | 123 | 81 | 18 | 26 | 23 | 6 | 6 | 193 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 6 | W 9 | SW 6 | SW 12 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | E 5 | — | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | S 12 | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | S 16 |
| kJ | 6 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 34 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 2 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 21 | — | — | — | — | 5 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | SW 6 | SW 12 | SW 6 | SW 5 | — | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 13 | — | — | S 12 | S 12 | S 20 | — | S 18 | S 18 | — | — | S 19 |
| kJ | 8 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 7 | — | 7 | 6 | — | — | 7 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ESE 3 | ESE 4 | E 5 | E 5 | — | — | NW 2 | WNW 3 | — | W 5 | — | — | NNE 2 | NNW 5 | — | — | — | WNW 4 | W 9 | W 8 | — |
| kJ | 1 | 11 | 32 | 21 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 47 | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | 4 | 240 | 264 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 170 | 419 | 23 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 192 | 23 | 45 | 192 | 29 | 182 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 528 | 295 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
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.
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