Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 28 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 13ft (4.0m), 10s period, WSW swell with 2,976 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 4.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 4s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Sat 29th Aug) | 13ft (4.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into this surf outlook for Poldhu Cove, and I’ll be straight with you – it’s a rough stretch ahead.
We’re kicking off with a real dud, to be honest. The start of this run is a write-off. For the first ten days, from Thursday the 27th of August all the way through to the end of the first week of September, the surf report is just grim. The wind is relentless, blowing straight onshore or cross-onshore, and the conditions are just messy. We’ve got moderate to strong breezes, with a near gale hitting on the 29th of August, kicking up a 8ft swell from the south-west, but it’s so blown out it’s pretty much un-ridable for a paddle. Even the cleaner days, like the 31st of August with a 8ft swell from the west-southwest, are just cross-shore and bumpy. The wave energy is all over the shop, but it’s all wasted in the wind. Poldhu Cove is a fairly exposed spot, so it catches everything, but that’s a curse here.
The water temp is a touch warmer than normal for the time of year, sitting around 65°, but you won’t be feeling it through the chop.
Now, I see a little glimmer of hope about a week and a half out, but it’s a long-range punt. On Monday the 7th of September, things look a bit more promising. There’s a decent 10ft groundswell from the west, and the morning wind is light from the west-northwest, just a cross-on breeze at 5 km/h. The energy is strong, and it’s got some punch. The problem is, the report calls it “marginal” due to tide or something, and the swell is pretty long-period for a beach break; at 9 seconds it’s okay, but it might wall up a bit. Still, if you’re an experienced surfer, that Monday morning is the best we’ve got, with cleanish conditions and a tidy swell. It could be a bit too big for beginners though.
The next real chance looks to be around the 10th of September, Thursday afternoon. We get a clean, cross-offshore breeze from the north at 15 km/h, and a 4ft west swell. The energy is moderate, and the report finally says “expect good surf conditions.” This is a late call and far out, but it’s the only time the wind and swell look aligned properly, giving you clean, rideable little waves. Friday the 11th has a cleaner wind setup but the swell is a bit chunky at 7ft, and the wind is strong, so it might be blown out again despite the cross-off direction.
So, my honest take? The best of a bad bunch is Monday the 7th of September for the bigger, punchier swell, but keep an eye on the 10th for a clean, friendly wave. Friday the 11th might offer something for the strong of arm.
It’s a tough run for Poldhu Cove, but as I always say, it’s never flat forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 14mm), heaviest on Fri night. Very mild (max 19°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Thu night, near gales from the SW by Sat morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sun afternoon. Very mild (max 18°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the WSW on Sun night, light winds from the WNW by Tue night). | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | ||||||||||||||
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 6 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 7 | WSW 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
60 | 56 | 111 | 230 | 131 | 708 | 2976 | 1047 | 554 | 730 | 1497 | 1275 | 800 | 445 | 229 | 180 | 130 | 107 | 80 | 69 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 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 | 7:53AM4.71m | 8:11PM4.78m | 8:31AM4.57m | 8:52PM4.54m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 2:39PM0.26m | 3:01AM0.32m | 3:19PM0.46m | 3:43AM0.58m | |||||||
— | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | |
8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 11 | 1 | — | — | 2 | 7 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
Feels °C | 17 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | SW 11 | WNW 8 | — | — | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | W 9 | — | WSW 10 | WSW 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | SSW 15 |
49 | 43 | 27 | 5 | 13 | — | — | 1047 | 554 | 463 | — | 1275 | 800 | 445 | 229 | 180 | 130 | 107 | 80 | 21 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 5 | WSW 7 | SW 11 | SW 11 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 7 | SSW 6 | S 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | S 10 |
13 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 25 | 23 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | E 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | — | — | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | S 9 |
7 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SW 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | SW 6 | SW 7 | WSW 10 | — | S 7 | WSW 9 | WSW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 7 |
60 | 56 | 111 | 230 | 131 | 708 | 2976 | — | 35 | 730 | 1497 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 69 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 23 | 18 | 254 | 189 | 325 | 253 | 189 | 68 | 67 | 419 | 200 | 18 | 167 | 13 | 192 | 189 | 183 | 13 | 165 | 224 |
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.











