Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 9s period, W swell with 1,731 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 10s period with SW 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 Sunday (Aug 23) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.5m and 10s period. 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 3.5m 9s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.4m 7s period and expected on Monday (Aug 24) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 11ft (3.5m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s break it down in feet and Fahrenheit for Poldhu Cove. It’s a rough outlook, no two ways about it.
The first surfable window is a long way off, so we’ve got a solid four-day gap with nothing. Friday, August 28th, the morning shows a 7ft swell from the SSW, with a short 9-second period. The energy is moderate (834), and the wind is a light cross-shore, so it’s rideable if you’re keen. The afternoon drops to 5ft, and it’s not much better.
Saturday the 29th brings 8ft from the W, but a strong cross-onshore wind makes it a messy, lumpy affair. This is more kite-surf territory than paddle. Sunday and Monday follow the same pattern.
The one real highlight is Monday afternoon, the 31st of August. The swell is only 3ft from the W, but the wind goes glassy. That’s the cleanest we’ll see it. The energy is weak (127), but it’s a perfect longboard session.
September starts with a clean but small 4ft from the WNW on Tuesday the 1st, with a cross-off breeze. Wednesday the 2nd is tiny at 0.7ft, but it’s a very long period of 16 seconds – not enough energy to do anything.
The big one is Sunday, September 6th, with a 10ft swell from the W and very strong energy (1198). That’s expert-only size, but the moderate cross-onshore wind will make it choppy. The final day, Monday the 7th, has a near-gale cross-shore wind with 5ft swell. Stay on the beach.
Water temperature is about average for this time of year. The best bet is that glassy afternoon on the 31st. Don’t hold your breath for much else.
Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Tue morning. Very mild (max 19°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Sat night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNE on Sat night, strong winds from the E by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 13mm), heaviest on Wed afternoon. Very mild (max 19°C on Wed morning, min 15°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SSW on Wed night, calm by Fri morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | S 5 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | W 9 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
39 | 47 | 34 | 18 | 17 | 25 | 74 | 94 | 79 | 50 | 44 | 286 | 435 | 534 | 221 | 764 | 264 | 1567 | 600 | 515 | 439 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | on | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:28PM3.38m | 3:01AM3.38m | 3:28PM3.62m | 3:53AM3.62m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:12AM1.74m | 9:05PM1.64m | 9:33AM1.53m | 10:08PM1.35m | 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 | |||||||
6:20 | — | — | 6:22 | — | — | 6:24 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
— | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:12 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | 5 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 14 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SW 14 | SW 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | E 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 8 | SSW 9 | SSW 8 | — | — | — | S 11 |
39 | 47 | 34 | 18 | 17 | 25 | 74 | 94 | 31 | 50 | 31 | 18 | 19 | 534 | 201 | 764 | 264 | — | — | — | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | WSW 10 | SSW 14 | SW 9 | W 9 | SSW 13 | SW 9 | SW 8 | W 9 | SSW 7 | E 4 | S 12 | W 11 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | W 9 | ESE 6 | — | — | — | — |
14 | 19 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 17 | 19 | 35 | 79 | 21 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 58 | 221 | 42 | 13 | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | SW 12 | — | W 9 | SW 9 | W 8 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 8 | E 5 | SW 12 | SW 12 | — | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — |
2 | 6 | — | 7 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 7 | 43 | 4 | 6 | 6 | — | 58 | 50 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | ESE 5 | ESE 6 | ESE 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 7 | E 6 | SSW 3 | SSW 4 | S 5 | SSW 7 | SSW 8 | — | — | — | W 6 | W 9 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 |
7 | 25 | 67 | 332 | 623 | 352 | 329 | 158 | 3 | 15 | 44 | 286 | 435 | — | — | — | 134 | 1567 | 600 | 515 | 439 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 23 | 11 | 400 | 168 | 168 | 41 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 416 | 103 | 67 | 45 | 23 | 8 | 8 | 171 | 588 | 189 | 189 |
Best forecast wave conditions in South Cornwall | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United Kingdom | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











