
Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 5 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 10 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, WSW swell with 185 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 10 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period with WNW 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 Monday (Aug 10) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 6s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Poldhu Cove in the next 16 days are 1.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 12) 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 0.8m 7s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 12) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Mon 10th Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Poldhu Cove has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch ahead. The whole 16-day window is pretty much a write-off for decent waves. We’ve got a long gap of poor conditions starting now and running all the way through to the end of the period. There isn’t a single standout session worth paddling out for.
The water at Poldhu Cove is sitting at 66°F, which is much warmer than usual for this time of year, so that’s a little bonus if you do fancy a swim, but for surfing? Not much to get excited about.
Wednesday the 5th kicks things off with a 7ft west swell, but with a short 7-second period and a stiff 19 mph cross-wind, it’s just lumpy, poor quality stuff. That combined energy reading of 436 (moderate) doesn’t mean much when the wind’s ruining it. Through Thursday and Friday the swell drops right off to under 3ft, and while Friday morning goes glassy with 1.0ft, it’s just too small to ride. The weekend sees a bit of cleanish conditions with light ESE winds on Saturday, but we’re still stuck with knee-high dribble.
Things try to pick up again around Wednesday the 12th with a 3ft west-southwest swell and a 9-second period, but the wind is onshore and messy. By Thursday the 13th we’ve got 6ft swell, but it’s accompanied by 19 mph cross-winds and a lumpy chop – not worth the drive. The biggest pulse comes in on Sunday the 16th of August with a 7ft to 8ft west swell, combined energy hitting 561 to 675 (strong), but again the period is short and the wind is cross or cross-on. That’s expert-only territory with the size, and the quality just isn’t there.
Honestly, for this stretch, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, especially when the wind gets up. There’s no real window of clean, rideable waves for us surfers. Hang in there, forecasts can change, but for now, keep the board in the car and don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Very mild (max 18°C on Wed morning, min 14°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WNW on Wed morning, calm by Fri morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 18°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | W 7 | W 6 | W 6 | WNW 6 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WSW 12 | W 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
429 | 205 | 151 | 76 | 33 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 21 | 28 | 26 | 50 | 46 | 80 | 54 | 37 | 20 | 15 | 106 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy |
High Tide | 10:06PM4.22m | 10:36AM3.99m | 11:06PM3.97m | 11:45AM3.82m | 00:23AM3.79m | 1:06PM3.78m | 1:47AM3.79m | 2:25PM3.94m | 3:01AM3.96m | 3:32PM4.23m | 4:03AM4.21m | 4:29PM4.57m | |||||||||
Low Tide | 4:28PM0.81m | 4:56AM0.85m | 5:20PM1.01m | 5:54AM1.06m | 6:27PM1.18m | 7:07AM1.20m | 7:52PM1.21m | 8:33AM1.15m | 9:17PM1.00m | 9:50AM0.90m | 10:26PM0.64m | 10:50AM0.55m | 11:22PM0.27m | ||||||||
5:54 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:56 | — | — | 5:58 | — | — | 6:00 | — | — | 6:01 | — | — | 6:03 | — | — | |
— | 8:58 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 11 | W 6 | WNW 6 | WNW 5 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | W 10 |
7 | 7 | 9 | 76 | 33 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 21 | 28 | 26 | 50 | 46 | 80 | 54 | 37 | 20 | 11 | 106 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | W 9 | ESE 3 | SW 7 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | W 10 | W 9 | SW 6 |
— | — | 2 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | SW 13 | SW 12 | SSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 12 | SW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | ESE 4 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 11 | W 11 | S 13 | WSW 6 | WSW 12 | SW 12 |
— | — | 7 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 17 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | W 6 | — | W 6 | — | — | — | NE 2 | ESE 3 | — | — | — | WNW 3 | WNW 5 | — | — | — | — | E 4 | E 5 |
429 | 205 | 151 | — | 31 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 4 | 9 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 23 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 719 | 192 | 191 | 13 | 430 | 528 | 416 | 430 | 400 | 31 | 31 | 11 | 11 | 29 | 0 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 417 | 170 | 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.











