
Surf Forecasts:
Poldhu Cove surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, W swell with 1,087 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 1.8m 13s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) 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 0.3m 6s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (BST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Fri 18th Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Poldhu Cove over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks. Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming our way. It's a bit of a mixed bag, if I'm honest. The main thing you need to know is that we’ve got a fair bit of swell on the way, but the wind is going to be a real pest for most of the period. The water’s sitting at 64° right now, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you might not need the thickest rubber just yet.
We’re not getting going straight away. The first few days are a write-off, with that onshore wind ruining any chance of clean waves through Saturday and Sunday the 12th and 13th. The swell builds to around 6 ft on Saturday afternoon, but with a fresh onshore breeze, it’s just a messy, blown-out sea. Not worth getting wet for.
Monday the 14th drops right off with only 4 ft of weak, short-period swell. The wind stays on it, so it’s still poor.
Tuesday the 15th sees a bit of a lift, with 6 ft to 6 ft waves, but that cross-shore wind is going to chop it all up. It’s a lumpy mess, not the clean lines we want.
Wednesday the 16th morning is the first time we see a glimmer of hope. The swell picks up to 7 ft from the west with 10-second intervals, and the wave energy hits a moderate 914. Conditions are still cross-shore and lumpy, but the rating says it’s "marginal". It’s not good, but it’s the best we’ve seen in days.
Then we hit a bit of a lull again until Friday the 18th, when the swell comes back. We get a long-period groundswell (13 seconds) coming in at 6 ft, but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s going to be choppy. The energy is strong at 1096 though, showing there’s plenty of water moving.
The standout window, if you can call it that, looks to be the end of the run, around the 23rd and 24th of September. Now, listen up, because this is interesting. On Wednesday the 23rd morning, we get a tiny 2 ft swell, but the wind swings around to an easterly cross-offshore, and the conditions are described as “clean.” The energy is weak at 184, but for a log or a funboard, that could be some of the cleanest, most user-friendly waves we’ve seen in a fortnight. The swell jumps to 7 ft that afternoon with the same clean, cross-off wind, but it’s a short 8-second period, so it’s going to be a bit crumbly and fat on the beach.
If you’re an expert, keep an eye on Monday the 21st of September. The swell is a solid 10 ft with a long 13-second period, and the energy is a huge 3045. But, and it's a big but, the wind is a fresh cross-onshore, making it lumpy and challenging. That much power with that wind is a recipe for a tough paddle and a washing machine, so only for the very experienced or the kamikaze.
For the rest of us, the pick of the month is the morning of Wednesday the 23rd. It’s clean, the swell direction is from the west, which works well for Poldhu Cove’s SW optimum. The only gear you’ll need is a relaxed attitude and a longboard. The crowds can be “sometimes” here, so if it’s glassy, expect some company.
The true standout for sheer power, though it’s ruined by wind, is the big 10 ft swell on the 21st. If that easterly wind had held, it would have been a day for the history books.
Overall, it’s a quiet start, a messy middle, and a clean, small finish. Don’t hold your breath for the first week and a half, but keep a towel handy for the 23rd.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 17°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Wed night. Very mild (max 16°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed morning). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | W 8 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 7 | W 9 | W 10 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
239 | 411 | 751 | 590 | 434 | 307 | 194 | 181 | 140 | 405 | 472 | 529 | 914 | 709 | 458 | 220 | 189 | 683 | 1087 | 826 | 232 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on |
High Tide | 6:22PM5.09m | 6:41AM4.89m | 6:58PM5.01m | 7:16AM4.81m | 7:33PM4.82m | 7:51AM4.64m | 8:08PM4.53m | 8:25AM4.38m | 8:44PM4.18m | 9:02AM4.05m | 9:23PM3.81m | 9:44AM3.70m | 10:12PM3.44m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:46PM-0.08m | 1:08AM-0.15m | 1:23PM-0.04m | 1:43AM-0.01m | 1:58PM0.11m | 2:17AM0.23m | 2:33PM0.36m | 2:50AM0.54m | 3:07PM0.67m | 3:24AM0.88m | 3:44PM1.01m | 4:01AM1.22m | 4:27PM1.34m | ||||||||
6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | |
— | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:36 | — | — | 7:32 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:29 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Feels °C | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 15 | S 15 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | S 11 | S 11 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | S 13 | W 10 | W 9 | W 10 | W 13 | W 13 | W 12 |
17 | 4 | 751 | 590 | 434 | 307 | 194 | 181 | 140 | 2 | 2 | 529 | 914 | 709 | 4 | 148 | 189 | 683 | 1087 | 826 | 232 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | S 15 | S 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | W 12 | — | — | S 11 | — | NNW 6 | S 13 | — | S 13 | S 13 | S 12 | S 15 | S 16 |
4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 25 | — | — | 2 | — | 7 | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 14 | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 18 | S 12 | S 12 |
4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 3 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | — | — | W 10 | W 7 | WNW 7 | — | — | — | WSW 6 |
239 | 411 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 405 | 472 | — | — | — | 458 | 220 | 186 | — | — | — | 219 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 192 | 168 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 177 | 192 | 107 | 13 | 107 | 483 | 588 | 192 | 188 | 200 | 188 | 586 |
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.










